Dengue claims two women, toll reaches 3

NEW DELHI: With two more dengue casualties reported this week, the death toll from the vector-disease this year has reached three in the national Capital.

According to a report released by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Monday, the total number of people affected by dengue has reached 5,220 this season, with 675 new cases being reported over the last week.

Meanwhile, the number of people affected by Malaria this year has climbed to 1,062, with 30 of them recorded last week.

For chikungunya, the figure stands at 683, with 45 new cases reported last week.

The report said that 26-year-old Rhoda Daimai, from Manipur, succumbed to dengue in the national Capital on August 27. Having come to Delhi for treatment, the woman died at Holy Family Hospital in Okhla of septicaemia and other ensuing complications.

The second victim, 49-year-old Meena Devi from Bihar, died of dengue shock syndrome on September 2, said the MCD report. She passed away at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH)

Earlier this year, the mosquito-borne tropical disease had claimed its first victim in the city; a 12-year-old boy who died of dengue shock syndrome at SGRH on August 1.

Of the 5,220 dengue cases, 2,564 were residents of Delhi, while the rest were from other states. Of the 2,564 Delhi cases, 757 were reported this month, the report said. Cases of vector-borne diseases are usually reported between mid-July and November-end. This year, however, it has been much earlier. Doctors attribute this to an early monsoon.

Dengue and chikungunya are caused by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which breeds in clear water. The female Anopheles mosquito, which causes malaria, can breed in both fresh and muddy water.

According to South Delhi Municipal Corporation, mosquito breeding has been reported from 4,78,978 households in the city.

Additionally, the Delhi government has banned over-the-counter sale of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Aspirin and Brufen as their use may "pose a threat" to dengue and chikungunya patients.

At least 21 dengue deaths were reported last year from various city hospitals, including nine at AIIMS. Official figures of the civic bodies, however, stood at 10. 17 deaths, suspected due to malaria, were also reported by civic bodies last year. For chikungunya, 15 fatalities were reported last year from various city hospitals due, but civic bodies kept the death tally at zero.