Delhi reports first case of dengue death

NEW DELHI: A 17-year-old girl died of dengue in a city hospital last week, marking the first death due to the mosquito-borne infection this year.

Farheen, a resident of Jafrabad in north east Delhi, died at around 2am on July 21 in the Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Hospital, where she was admitted a day before.

Earlier, the girl was admitted to another Delhi government hospital with very high fever and vomiting. Her tests returned positive for dengue, and because her condition was serious, she was shifted to Lok Nayak Hospital.

The hospital report says, Farheen died of a severe form of dengue— dengue shock syndrome.

Civic authorities on Monday released dengue figures for this week, which did not mention any deaths due to it.

In the last one week alone, the city reported 40 dengue cases, which is 80% of the total cases reported till July 18 this year.

This year, the total number of deadly viral infections has jumped to 90, which is more than double the number of cases reported last year. 2015 was an outbreak year, with more than 15,000 people affected with the infection, out of which 60 died.

The maximum cases this year— 51, have been reported from south Delhi, followed by east Delhi that reported 18 cases.

“We had more people coming with dengue-like symptoms during the past two weeks,” said a senior doctor at Safdarjung Hospital.

The Delhi government has, however, made adequate arrangements to deal with rising dengue cases, which is expected to rise in the coming months. The disease usually peaks around October. All hospitals have been directed to assign beds for dengue patients, keep testing kits and platelets in stock so there are no shortages.

Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain also said around 250-300 fever clinic corners would be set up in hospitals, dispensaries and mohalla clinics by September.

“Right now, we need to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Since very few cases are from within Delhi, treatment facilities don’t need to be scaled up right now,” he said. Union health minister JP Nadda has been holding regular meetings with state authorities to review preparedness to deal with dengue.

“Our ministry is constantly monitoring the situation, and so far things are under control, ” said Nadda.

The country reported 8,307 dengue cases, with 10 deaths till July 28, according to data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.