2009 - 2010 Dengue Cases - India

[Ronan Kelly]

6 dengue deaths

Nainital: Six deaths due to dengue in Lalkuan , nearly 65 kilometres from here, were reported since September 2, the district administration said on Wednesday. A team of doctors was deployed to deal with the emergency and required arrangements for medical help and fogging have been ensured, said the District Magistrate. -- PTI

http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/24/stories/2009092453850300.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Dengue claims one life in Karimnagar

Staff Reporter

MLA Gangula Kamalakar condoles bereaved family

KARIMNAGAR: Even as the district administration has launched special sanitation drive to check the spread of dengue fever, one more girl student succumbed to the disease in Ramnagar locality of Karimnagar town on Friday. With this, the death toll due to dengue fever reached to five in Karimnagar town alone.

Ponnam Sunitha (20) had been suffering from fever for four days and was referred to Apollo Reach Hospital in Karimnagar town. But the doctors suggested that she be shifted to Hyderabad. She succumbed to the disease on her way to hospital in Hyderabad on Friday.

Karimnagar MLA Gangula Kamalakar visited the house of the girl and consoled the bereaved family. He launched a scathing attack on the district administration for failing to check the spread of disease in spite of launching sanitation drive.

No proper sanitation


He alleged that there was no proper sanitation in the town and the colonies on the outskirts were facing severe mosquito menace following piling up of garbage and stagnation of drainage water.

Minister for Higher Education D. Sridhar Babu, Karimnagar MP Ponnam Prabhakar, Collector Sandeep Kumar Sultania and others visited the houses of the patients who died of dengue fever in the town and consoled the bereaved family members.

They also inspected the sanitation drive in the town and inquired with the municipal authorities about the mosquito menace and sanitation drive.

The Minister said that the administration was taking all measures to check the mosquito menace by intensifying the sanitation drive.

Special officers


He said that they had appointed special officers in the corporation to oversee the sanitation drive.

He also inquired with the residents about the observation of ?dry day? for removing the stored water in all containers in the residential areas.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/26/stories/2009092658270300.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

First dengue death case reported in city
TNN 10 October 2009, 09:11pm IST

times news network


Kanpur: The first dengue death of the city was reported at the Ursala Horsman Memorial (UHM) Hospital on Saturday which set the alarm bells ringing in the health department.

Dr Shailendra Tiwari of UHM said: "Jaibun (45), a resident of Patara village, was admitted to Ursala Horsman Memorial (UHM) Hospital on Friday. She was in a critical condition and collapsed around midnight."

He said: "The situation is not at all serious and there is no need to panic. One of the other two patients of dengue was discharged after treatment. However, the other one admitted on Thursday is still under observation."

According to the doctors of the government hospitals, there is a rise in the number of malaria, viral fever and other related infections. They say the weather is conducive for transmission of viral infections and 30-40 per cent of the OPD cases are based on fever only.

"There has been an increase in viral fever cases, especially in children. Nearly 40 per cent of the cases in the OPDs are of viral fever or infections," said Dr Yashwant Rao, paediatrician at Lala Lajpat Rai (LLR) hospital.

Though a majority of the people are down with viral fever-- which can be treated-- doctors say dengue cases are also on the rise and fever should not be taken lightly. "Cases with high-grade fever with pain in eyeballs, body ache etc. for more than 24-hours should be taken to doctor, as they could be of dengue," said Dr Rao.

The weather is said to be conducive to viral infections. There are fluctuations in day and night temperatures as well. "Exposure to change in temperature can be dangerous. But this happens every year and one just needs to take precautions and avoid crowded places. Children should be more careful. Parents should also be careful, as kids move in close groups and chances of getting infected are higher,' said Dr Navneet Kumar, head of department medicines, LLR hospital.

For asthma patients, this weather can aggravate their medical condition, as there is a lot of pollen movement in the air. "This is a tough season for asthma patients, as mild allergy can aggravate breathing difficulty. Moreover, constant change in temperature and humidity also makes things worse for asthma patients," said Dr Sudhir Chaudhary, HoD, Murari Lal Chest Hospital.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...case-reported-in-city/articleshow/5110249.cms

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

80 cases, health dept faces dengue fight


Express News Service
Posted: Oct 15, 2009 at 0047 hrs IST


Mumbai The late monsoon has left behind a severe attack of dengue in the Capital, particularly in the Central Delhi and Civil Lines.
Eighty cases of the viral fever have been reported in the last fortnight, civic authorities have said, adding that instances of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) have also been observed among patients. These strains, both severe forms of dengue, are virulent in nature and surface when a person is reinfected.

Small purplish spots appear on the skin in case of the haemorrhagic fever, with signs of internal bleeding. But the more serious kind is DSS, when a patient?s blood pressure drops drastically pushing him into a state of shock. There is also internal bleeding.

All four strains of dengue fever ? Type 1 to Type 4 ? are prevalent in the city at present, health officials said. Deputy Health Officer at the Delhi municipality Dr N R Tuli said: ?Patients who are haemorrhaging have contracted the disease a second time. The viral strains in combination can be more virulent, and since all four strains are widespread, we have seen cases of bleeding and shock.?

A steady stream of patients has been admitted in private hospitals recently.

Till Wednesday, 13 were admitted in Sir Gangaram Hospital, 17 in Max and over 50 patients had been treated and discharged from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, health authorities said. Principal Health Secretary J P Singh said: ?There is no reason to worry as we are monitoring the situation closely. Mosquitoes will lessen breeding once winter sets in. We are reviewing our efforts every month and have conducted anti-larvae operations wherever needed.?

Dengue, spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, is a post-monsoon disease.

Member of the municipality?s health committee Dr V K Monga said: ?The disease usually peaks in October and November, but the late monsoon has made it worse this year.?
Civic officials have blamed the sudden spurt in the disease on lack of awareness, even indifference. Dr Monga said: ?In all these years, we have tried to make people more conscious about the disease. They have to keep their whereabouts clean. The government cannot clean everyone?s houses. We need responsible citizens to complement our efforts.?

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has also put in place a comprehensive, ward-wise plan to contain mosquito breeding, and is fumigating worst affected areas.

Prevent Dengue
* Change the water in flower vases. Clean and scrub the inner side of vases, wash roots of flowers and plants thoroughly as mosquito eggs stick to them.
* Clear water in air-coolers.
* Loosen soil from potted plants to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water on the surface of the hardened soil.
* Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day; wear full-sleeve clothes.
* Use coils, repellants and mats.
* Do not let clean water stagnate in overhead tanks. Put a few drops of kerosene, diesel or oil in stagnant water.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/80-cases-health-dept-faces-dengue-fight/529182/

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Dengue cases on the rise
TNN 14 October 2009, 02:32am IST


HYDERABAD: The recent rains have triggered a dengue outbreak in the state with an estimated 150 cases reported in Hyderabad alone in the last two
months. These are in addition to 120 cases reported in Ranga Reddy district. What has caused a certain amount of panic among denizens is the bleeding complication being seen in dengue cases this year. Moreover, the drop in the platelet count in many dengue patients has led to a surge in demand for platelets in the city.

City-based doctors say they are getting dozens of dengue cases each day and attribute the outbreak and even the complications to a mutation in the virus that causes dengue, making it more virulent this time of the year. ?The epidemic comes in cycles. This year, the organism is showing its full virulence. During the previous year, though the conditions were the same there was no outbreak because the virus was lying dormant. Poor hygienic conditions are allowing the virus to thrive,? said Dr P S Raj Kumar, joint director (malaria) said. Dengue is a vector-borne disease.

Doctors pointed that with the infection being virulent this year, complications are also on the rise. ?We are getting many patients who are coming with bleeding complaints and shock syndrome,?? said a doctor from Apollo Hospital. ?Out of 100 dengue cases, at least eight cases need transfusion. Since the virus strain is more virulent this year, more patients need platelet transfusion,?? said the doctor.

Meanwhile, with hospitals getting several patients with dengue like symptoms everyday, doctors say they are no longer awaiting test reports to confirm dengue but are starting medication even for symptomatic cases.

While the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) claims to have taken required measures to tackle the monsoon diseases, there are no tangible results. Not only are dengue cases at an all-time high, this year six people died of dengue, when no death was reported last year.

In Balanagar, the resident medical officer of BBR Hospital Dr Bhairav Prasad said that the hospital is getting five to six cases a day from Balanagar and Jagadgirigutta. The case is similar in the Old City with Dr Mohammed Abu Bakar of Princess Durrushehvar Hospital, Purani Haveli, saying that over 200 cases had being treated at the hospital in September alone.

As on October 12, the city has reported 176 cases of dengue, most of which have surfaced since August. This includes the suspected cases which means that though doctor has diagnosed the case as dengue, the confirmation test was not carried out. The problem is not restricted to the city alone. The state health data indicates a grave problem with Warangal and Karimnagar districts too reporting 87 and 97 cases respectively. However doctors say the real figure would be much higher.
Senior physician Dr B Vijay Kumar of Yashoda Hospital, Secunderabad, said, ?We are getting over 30 patients on an average per day from Karimnagar and Warangal since last month. In our hospital, we have confirmed over 400 dengue cases. In the city, we got quite a few cases from Malkajgiri and a few sporadic cases from other areas.?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Dengue-cases-on-the-rise-/articleshow/5121997.cms

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

6 kids die of dengue, but city corpn in denial mode
Pushpa Narayan, TNN 16 October 2009, 02:27am IST


CHENNAI: Dengue has claimed the lives of at least six children in the city in the past two months, but health officials say they know nothing about
it.
More than 80 children have been admitted to the intensive care units of hospitals, and doctors say a rise in mosquito population and delay in diagnoses are causes for concern.

?There has been no rain this year and the population of mosquitoes that breed in fresh water should be low. But a considerable number of children are coming in with dengue symptoms. Many of them are referred late,? said Dr Radha Rajagopalan, senior paediatrician at Apollo Hospital for Children. ?Our hospital has lost two children in the last two months,? she said. Patients have come from across the city, including CIT Nagar, Kotturpuram, Mahalingapuram and T Nagar.

Doctors at Kanchi Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital and Mehta Hospital for Children said they were also seeing dengue cases. Each hospital has recorded at least two deaths since August. The state-run Institute of Child Health has also been getting patients with dengue symptoms. ?We have been treating a lot of children for dengue, but we do not have laboratory tests to prove the numbers,? said ICH deputy director Dr Jayachandran.

Chennai Corporation denied any dengue cases in the city. ?None of the hospitals have notified any case. We are constantly screening for mosquitoes and we have found the population of aedes aegypti, which causes dengue, to be low,? said health officer Dr P Kuganantham.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-corpn-in-denial-mode/articleshow/5129365.cms

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Delhi records 103 dengue cases


NEW DELHI: The Capital has reported 103 cases of dengue so far. Cases have been reported at several government hospitals including Safdarjung, Ram Manohar Lohia and Lady Hardinge.

Some of the medical students at these hospitals too have reported in with dengue symptoms.

?There is no need for panic as the number of dengue cases in the city is much lower than last year,? said Municipal Health Officer N. K. Yadav on Friday.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/17/stories/2009101757730400.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

First dengue death in Delhi, cases rise to 186
PTI 23 October 2009, 08:42pm IST

NEW DELHI: The national capital reported its first confirmed dengue death with a 15-year-old boy succumbing to the vector-borne disease in
south-east Delhi, even as the number of cases jumped to 186.

"The boy, a resident of Sangam Vihar area, died of dengue at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)," Municipal Health Officer, MCD, N K Yadav said.

This is the first confirmed dengue death in the capital this season.

Earlier, a 20-year-old student from Jharkhand died due to suspected dengue at the St Stephen's Hospital but the MCD did not confirm it as a dengue death. It had also said that the victim was not a resident of Delhi.

The city also reported 20 more positive cases of dengue since yesterday, taking the total number to 186. Over the last two days, 40 new dengue cases have been reported.

Though the figure is still far less than last year, when over 1,000 cases and two deaths were reported, the sudden surge has left civic authorities worried.

Noting that maximum cases of dengue are generally reported in October, Yadav said the MCD has intensified measures to prevent the spread of the disease and was conducting fogging operations in various areas.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...lhi-cases-rise-to-186/articleshow/5154068.cms

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

9-yr-old is second dengue victim in city
TNN 27 October 2009, 12:53am IST

NEW DELHI: The second dengue death in the capital was confirmed on Monday. The serology report of nine-year-old Sunny, who died on October 19,
tested positive for dengue. The number of dengue cases in the city are steadily rising and 262 cases have been reported so far. City hospitals claim they are getting a large number of dengue and malaria patients.

"The boy was admitted at Lok Nayak Hospital on October 18. But he succumbed to fever the next day. Doctors had sent his blood sample for testing and the report was positive,'' said Dr N R Das, medical officer, MCD. The boy was a resident of Rohini and the MCD has intensified fogging in the area. Of the 262 positive cases, 193 have been reported from MCD areas, 60 from NDMC and rest from Delhi cantt and outside Delhi areas.

MCD officials say a majority of dengue cases are coming from areas around AIIMS like Kidwai Nagar, Church Colony in central zone, Tughlaqabad zone, etc. Though cases of dengue and malaria are relatively less than last year, breeding is found in large number of areas. So far, 127 malaria cases have been reported.

"Our OPDs are crowded with dengue and malaria patients. In some cases, specially in children, the platelet count has dropped to as low as 6,000 to 10,000. These patients have to be given platelets,'' said Dr Sanjeev Bagai, director and head of the department, paediatrics, Rockland Hospital.

But according to MCD officials, the cases this year have been less courtesy the weather. "This year, we didn't have a good monsoon and after rain, the temperature shot up drastically. As a result we didn't see much breeding. Moreover, we were well-prepared to handle dengue and our domestic breeding checkers have been taking rounds in their respective areas since May,'' added Das. A majority of dengue cases have been reported from Shardara North and Central Delhi.

Doctors say a large number of people are coming very late to the hospital. "People are coming to hospital with a history of prolonged fever. As they have been on self-medication, in some cases it has resulted in complications. Certain analgesics result in the breakdown of platelets,'' said Dr Mukesh Mehra, head of the department, Max Healthcare.

Agrees Dr Bagai, "A lot of patients have been taking ibroprofen or nimesulide before coming to us. People should not take analgesics on their own. One should see a doctor if high-grade fever continues for more than 24 hours, especially in children.''
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...dengue-victim-in-city/articleshow/5166098.cms

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Student dies of dengue

VISAKHAPATNAM: A college student Dadi Gowthami (17), who died on Saturday night, showed symptoms of dengue fever, though the required tests were not done on her and the case might be considered as death due to dengue considering the case history, DMHO J. Sarojini said on Monday.

Gowthami from Kothapalem in Gopalapatnam area had suffered with fever for five days before she was admitted in the King George Hospital on Saturday after treatment at a private hospital in Gopalapatnam did not give her any relief. Incidentally the last case of death due to dengue in the city was reported from Gopalapatnam area. Anti-larval operations, surveillance and other measures were being taken up in the area following the death of Gowthami.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/27/stories/2009102751630300.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Dengue cases rise to 320 in Delhi

STAFF WRITER 18:12 HRS IST
New Delhi, Oct 29 (PTI) With 18 more patients testing positive for dengue, the cases of the vector-borne disease climbed to 320 in the capital today.

Delhi has reported two deaths due to dengue this season.

"18 more positive cases have been reported since yesterday, taking the total number to 320," Municipal Health Officer, MCD, N K Yadav told PTI.

The first dengue death was reported in the city on October 23 when a 15-year-old boy succumbed to the disease at AIIMS. The second was that of a nine-year-old boy who breathed his last at the LNJP hospital on Monday.

There was a sudden spurt in dengue cases in the city this month though the figure is still far less than last year, when over 1,000 cases and two deaths were reported.
http://ptinews.com/news/353444_Dengue-cases-rise-to-320-in-Delhi

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Dengue toll rises to 3 in Lucknow

STAFF WRITER 12:25 HRS IST


Lucknow, Oct 30 (PTI) Third dengue death was reported from the state capital here, health department officials said here today.

Lallu Gutpa (22), who was admitted to Chhatrapati Shhahuji Maharaj Medical University's (CSMMU), died of dengue yesterday, they said.

This was the third dengue death in Lucknow, they said, adding that six new suspected patients of the vector-borne disease were reported in the city in the last 24 hours.

Three of the victims belong to Almabagh area, two others hail from Vrindavan area, while the fourth is a native of Aliganj, they said.
http://ptinews.com/news/354306_Dengue-toll-rises-to-3-in-Lucknow

 

[Tonka]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

http://www.themedguru.com/20091030/newsfeature/delhi-reels-dengue-count-shoots-352-86130562.html

Delhi reels as dengue count shoots up to 352

New Delhi, October 31 -- As if the swine flu scare was not enough, the insidious dengue is slowly but surely spreading in the national capital Delhi.

Put together, Delhi and the NCR region have reported 352 dengue cases so far.

The preponderance of dengue has been in Shahdara North and Central Delhi. Areas around AIIMS like Kidwai Nagar, Church colony in central zone and Tughlaqabad are amongst the worst hit.

Spike in recent weeks
The worrisome factor is that the number of infections have spiked in the last few weeks.

"At present, 60% of our OPD rush is due to dengue and malaria patients. We have close to 20 patients admitted. The numbers have drastically shot up in the last three weeks,'' said Dr SP Byotra, chairperson, Internal Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Situation under control
The recent jump in dengue cases notwithstanding, the municipal corporation of Delhi (MCD) has claimed that mosquito breeding is very much under control.

The spread of dengue till about the same time last year was harsher and more threatening, claims the MCD. Till the end of October last year, 1,065 positive cases of dengue had been reported vis-?-vis the 352 reported this year.

"This year, we didn't have a good monsoon and after rain, the temperature shot up. As a result, we didn't see much breeding,? said Dr NK Yadav, medical health officer, MCD.

?Moreover, we were well-prepared to handle dengue and our domestic breeding checkers have been taking rounds of their respective areas since May,'' assured Yadav.

Low platelet count observed
High fever and low platelet count are the common symptoms of dengue.

"In some cases, specially in children, the platelets have dropped to as low as 6,000-10,000. These patients have to be given platelets,'' said Dr Sanjeev Bagai, director and head of the department, Paediatrics, Rockland Hospital.

As a practice, the MCD accepts a case of dengue if the patient tests positive for Immunoglobulin (IgM).

Dr Virender Anand, senior consultant, Internal Medicine, Moolchand Medcity, however, claims that immediate medication is a must.

"IgM comes positive after six-seven days and one can't wait that long. We are giving them platelets and have started the treatment,'' Dr Anand said.

People advised to avoid self medication, report early
People are visiting hospitals after prolonged illnesses. Worse still, some of the patients have been on self-medication that has resulted in complications as some analgesics lead to breakdown of platelets.

"A lot of patients have been taking Ibroprofen or nimesulide before coming to us. People should not take analgesics on their own. One should see a doctor if high-grade fever continues for more than 24 hours, specially in children,'' advises Dr Bagai.

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Another dengue death in Karimnagar

Staff Reporter

KARIMNAGAR: Another person succumbed to dengue fever in Padmanagar locality of Karimnagar town on Saturday.

T. Laxman (25), who was suffering from dengue since last fortnight, succumbed to the disease on his way to a hospital in Hyderabad on Saturday. Karimnagar legislator G. Kamalakar and Municipal Commissioner Satyanarayana consoled the bereaved family members.

The legislator expressed his ire against the municipal authorities for poor sanitation in the town. Meanwhile, the Praja Rajyam party town unit leaders staged a dharna against the poor sanitation and failure to check the spread of dengue.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/01/stories/2009110159550600.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Dengue cases rise as vector control slackens
C. Maya

Focus on flu management measures
Flu management has been resource intensive

Department facing manpower shortage

Thiruvananthapuram: Public health activities in the district have been on a downturn for the past few months with almost all of the Health Department machinery focussed on the active community surveillance and control of Influenza A (H1N1) infection.

While swine flu management has been very efficient, a slackening of other public health activities like vector control in the field has been leading to a steady increase in the incidence of dengue fever and leptospirosis.

Case load high

As on October 24, the district had a total of 741 cases of dengue fever and 441 cases of leptospirosis, with more cases being reported from all parts of the district on a daily basis. The case load is much higher than the previous years.

Even though vector control activities are being intensified in the field, it looks like this year?s dengue case load could easily top the 2003 figure, when the district had the worst dengue epidemic with a total of 785 cases and nine deaths.

Health officials themselves admit that the panic over swine flu and a sense of immediacy created following the reporting of the first flu-related death in the capital took the health system by surprise.

?The flu situation demanded that we take extreme precautions and it has paid off. As community and airport surveillance of swine flu had to be strengthened, we had to pull out a lot of health workers from their field areas and re-deploy them for flu management measures. The down side has been that key public health activities like vector density monitoring and control measures suffered in many parts of the district,? a Health Department official said.

Swine flu management has been very resource intensive, with a lot of money as well as manpower needed to operate round-the-clock screening counters in airport and for IEC (information, education and communication), training and surveillance activities. The department was already facing a manpower shortage but then with more flu cases being reported in the district, desperate measures were called for, health officials pointed out.

Dengue case load has been up in the district since the beginning of the year and two major outbreaks ? on the Medical College campus and another at Vizhinjam ? in the first half of the year itself sent the figure spiralling up.

Redeployed


Geographic mapping of areas with high vector density revealed that pockets in Malayinkeezhu, Vilappil and Parassala had the maximum cases of dengue. Following intensive control measures, the case load in these places except Parassala had come down, officials said. Some of the health workers engaged for H1N1 work had been redeployed in dengue-prone areas.

However, the escalating H1N1 situation in the district has the Health Department worrying that additional manpower would have to be hired to manage the crisis. ?We have started thinking about ways to tackle the manpower shortage. Because the H1N1 flu is likely to be active for a few more months,? a senior Health official said.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/01/stories/2009110160980300.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

HYDERABAD: There is no semblance of decline in the number of dengue cases in the capital, even as authorities allay fears of an outbreak by pointing out that the ?peak? season for the ailment is already over. On a daily basis, government hospitals in twin cities continue to receive 70 to 80 dengue patients from districts and by unofficial count the death toll has crossed the 30 mark.

The worrying part, however, is the fact that children continue to form a large chunk; officials put the figure at 15 per cent of the total cases of dengue patients reported so far. Niloufer, Nizam?s Institute of Medical Science (NIMS), Gandhi and Fever Hospitals are receiving maximum number of dengue cases from twin cities and the districts.

Blood platelets

With such a large number of dengue patients flocking to the city from the districts, doctors pointed out that there is a demand for blood platelets and pressure on blood banks. Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) patients need blood platelets as they lose large amounts of blood through bleeding.

?The intensity of dengue cases is expected to dip in November. We have asked the blood banks to keep the platelets ready in case of a sudden spike in demand. As of now, we feel things are still under control, as far as availability of platelets is concerned,? said District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) Dr. Ch. Jaya Kumari.

Maximum cases

Maximum dengue cases getting admitted to hospitals here are from Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Karimnagar, Medak and Warangal districts. Health officials are anticipating a decrease to 40 dengue cases per day before tapering-off by the end of November. Peak season for the prevalence of dengue are the months of September and October of every year.

?The numbers will decrease in a week or two. Public should get rid of mosquito breeding spaces to prevent dengue infection,? Dr. Kumari said.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/02/stories/2009110259330500.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

19 fresh cases of dengue in Delhi; total crosses 400
STAFF WRITER 19:48 HRS IST
New Delhi, Nov 3 (PTI) With 19 more people testing positive for dengue today, the total number of those suffering from the vector-borne disease in the national capital this season climbed to 416.

"Since last evening, 19 people have tested positive for dengue, and that takes the number of cases this season to 416," Municipal Health Officer, MCD, N K Yadav told PTI.

Delhi has seen a spurt in the number of dengue cases with the previous week registering over 20 cases per day on an average. The figure is still far less than the last year, when over 1,000 cases were reported.

Two persons have succumbed to the disease this season and civic officials are hoping for an early winter so that the disease ebbs away.
http://ptinews.com/news/360570_19-fresh-cases-of-dengue-in-Delhi--total-crosses-400

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

MCD understating dengue cases?
Risha Chitlangia, TNN 4 November 2009, 01:11am IST

NEW DELHI: Dengue has emerged as a major threat this season with hospitals around the city reporting a sharp increase in the number of cases and yet
the government response seems to be muted. The MCD says the situation is under control and only 425 cases have been reported so far in the capital. A random survey by TOI of 11 private and three government hospitals has, however, thrown up a staggering figure of 1653 cases!

Even after making allowance for the fact that Delhi receives a large number of cases from elsewhere in NCR, the figure is considerably more than what the MCD has been claiming. And this is not even the complete picture with the number of hospitals far more than what we have surveyed. There are numerous private hospitals, nursing homes and close to 40 government and civic agency hospitals which are treating dengue cases.

Delhi health minister Kiran Walia expressed surprise over the wide gap and said she would ask MCD about it. Besides, she would be asking the state government's directorate of health services to seek figures independently from private hospitals. "Action will be taken if any discrepancy is found and corrective measures adopted," she said. She expressed concern over the availability of platelets and said that should be a priority.

MCD officials argue that most of the private hospitals are not performing the mandatory IgM Capture Elisa test. "As per government of India rules, a case is considered positive if the IgM serology report is positive. A number of hospitals are sending us reports based on the rapid kit and NS1 test. But we can't count them as dengue cases," said Deep Mathur, press and information director, MCD.

But hospitals say they are reporting only confirmed cases to MCD. "It is a notifiable disease and we have to report all confirmed cases to MCD. We are reporting only those cases to MCD where the IgM reports are positive. People are coming with really low platelet counts and in most cases have to be admitted. We have reported 194 confirmed dengue cases to MCD," said Dr Shanti Verma, deputy medical superintendent, Batra Hospital.

Hospitals say the patient load in their OPD has almost doubled in the past two months. "People are coming with high-grade fever and low platelet counts. We have seen 153 cases in the past two-three months and the confirmatory IgM test was found positive in all the cases," said Dr Somesh Mittal, medical superintendent, Fortis, Vasant Kunj.

Hospitals in West Delhi have also witnessed a spurt in dengue cases. Hospitals like Jaipur Golden and Maharaja Agrasen have seen 90 and 282 cases, respectively, in the past two months. Similarly, the number of positive cases has been very high in South Delhi as hospitals like Rockland, Indraprastha Apollo and Max Saket have reported 120, 158 and 199 cases, respectively.

If the situation is so grim, why are the authorities not in the alert mode? Is the hosting of Commonwealth Games next year around this time the reason why officials are trying to put a lid on it?

Experts say mosquito density is very high this year. "The number of cases this year is definitely higher than usual. Mosquito breeding is very high this time. There is a need for more aggressive measures to control breeding, especially with Commonwealth Games just a few months away. The year 2010 is likely to see an epidemic of dengue as the epidemic cycle repeats itself in four years," said a public health professor at AIIMS. Any talk of an epidemic would have an adverse fallout on the Games.

But MCD presents a completely different picture. This year breeding was found in 42,476 houses in 2009 as compared to 87,306 in 2008. The civic agency has served 43,000 notices to people and has launched 4,810 prosecution drives.

Meanwhile, NDMC claims to have issued 2,000 challans. According to Dr NK Yadav, medical health officer, MCD, "The dengue and malaria cases are relatively low this year. The season started late and that's why the transmission has got delayed. The temperature is still conducive for breeding, but our teams are keeping a check."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/MCD-understating-dengue-cases/articleshow/5194417.cms

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Date:04/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/04/stories/2009110460270600.htm
Andhra Pradesh

Dengue claims eight lives in State

Special Correspondent

Disease breaks out in 14 districts affecting 782 persons

HYDERABAD: The government on Tuesday officially put the dengue fever toll across the State so far, at eight and the affected cases at 782.

The disease broke out in 14 districts, but deaths occurred ironically in Karimnagar and Hyderabad (urban) districts, where medical facilities are amply available. Karimnagar accounted for five deaths and Hyderabad for three.

Highest in Ranga Reddy


With 220 cases, Ranga Reddy district topped the list followed by Hyderabad (204) and Karimnagar 49.

The other districts which reported dengue cases were Warangal ( 49), Khammam ( 34), Nalgonda ( 27), Adilabad (21), Medak ( 10), Nizamabad and Nellore ( five each) , Kurnool (four), Krishna (two) and Pakasam and West Godavari (one each).

Speaking to reporters after Chief Minister K. Rosaiah reviewed the status of the communicable diseases, L. V. Subrahmanyam, Principal Secretary, Health, said dengue, was now on the decline. It was expected to disappear from the State by mid-November.

Swine flu dips


He clarified that a dengue patient would require blood transfusion only if the platelet count in blood dipped below 30,000.

Free blood transfusion was extended to the patients in 11 government hospitals with help of Red Cross and some medical colleges, for improving a patient?s platelet count.

Mr. Subrahmanyam said swine flu was on the wane too, though the screening at Shamshabad international airport was continuing.

Mr. Rosaiah regretted that communicable diseases were being tackled on ad-hoc basis. He wanted officials to formulate a long-term policy so that prevention could be given a thrust.

Qualified personnel


He said, as part of the long-term policy, only those qualified and trained in public health would be appointed as district medical and health officers (DMHOs) .

For the time being, courses and training in public health would be offered at the Indian Institute of Public Health, here.

? Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Dengue Cases - India

Re: Dengue Cases - India

489 dengue cases recorded in Delhi
IANS 6 November 2009, 08:07pm IST

NEW DELHI: Twenty five new dengue cases were recorded in Delhi on Friday, taking the number of people affected by the vector-borne disease to 489,
health officials said.

The Delhi government has appointed a nodal officer to whom all dengue cases will be reported by government and private hospitals.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi attributed the rise in dengue cases to stagnant water found at the various under-construction Commonwealth Games sites in the city.

"There are water storages left open at construction sites across Delhi. Many have been notified as breeding areas. We have warned contractors and they should take appropriate action. This is a matter of concern for the MCD," MCD's Chief Medical Officer N.K. Yadav said.

"There were 25 fresh cases of dengue confirmed today (Friday). This takes the total number of cases to 489," Yadav said.

The civic agency has laid out an action plan to take strict action to check breeding of mosquitoes that transmit the disease.

"We have prepared information pamphlets and these will be circulated among residents. After the initial period to create awareness, from next week we are going to step up penalising offenders," Yadav said.

The Delhi government has also taken steps to contain dengue fever.

Elaborating the steps, Delhi government Health Minister Kiran Walia announced that Dr Charan Singh has been appointed 'State Nodal Officer' as part of the government's efforts to tackle the spread of dengue fever in the capital.

"The information about the dengue patients will be provided to the nodal officer with immediate effect every day by noon," Walia informed.

"It has been made mandatory for all public and private hospitals to give details of the dengue cases to the state nodal officer," said Walia, adding that health authorities have been asked to check, prevent and control dengue and take immediate steps to curb the menace.

Till Oct 31, MCD staff had found mosquitoes breeding in 44,107 houses.

"Legal notices were issued to 45,168 people and prosecution action was initiated against 4,963," Yadav said.

Until now, there have been two deaths due to the disease - of a 15-year-old boy and a nine-year-old boy.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ses-recorded-in-Delhi/articleshow/5204056.cms