831 is total dengue count in Delhi, 778 in August

Of 831 patients who have been diagnosed, North Delhi has recorded the highest cases at 352, South Delhi at 220 while East Delhi reported the lowest with 73 cases.

Two patients have succumbed to the virus this year, including a three-year-old boy from Inderpuri and a 37-year-old woman from Narela. Both areas come under North Delhi.

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Municipal authorities have stepped up anti-mosquito activities to control the spread of the virus. Till August 29, approximately 1,48,745 houses were found breeding mosquitoes. Action was taken in 13,050 cases, officials said.
The Health department has ordered that platelets be stocked in all government blood banks, and has directed private blood banks to ensure their availability at nominal rates.

Dr Charan Singh, incharge of the vector-borne control program in the Delhi government, said adequate supply of platelets was being maintained. “We are monitoring the situation in all hospitals to ensure there is no lacunae in treatment facilities. Dedicated fever and dengue wards have been opened in government hospitals,” Dr Singh said.

Doctors say while cases are increasing, patients are recovering faster. A senior doctor from AIIMS said, “Most patients are showing symptoms similar to other viral fevers, and are recovering faster…” However, doctors said some patients have been showing symptoms like depleting platelet count, a sign of haemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome, and other fatal symptoms associated with dengue.

“We are seeing some patients with these symptoms, but these are very few when compared to the last few years. Every year, there are some patients who report strains different from the dominant strain of the virus,” said Dr S Chatterjee, senior consultant in medicine at Apollo hospital.

The municipal corporation has issued over 11,000 challans to over 80 government and educational institutions in the city, including Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Transport Corporation and Public Works Department for breeding of mosquitoes on their premises.

Scientists at the National Centre for Disease Control and AIIMS have started conducting tests to identify the dominant strain of the virus this year.

Highest in 5 years
> Total cases this year: 831
> In August alone: 778
> Cases from North Delhi: 352
> Cases from South Delhi: 220
> Cases from East Delhi: 73
> Deaths reported: 2