Gurgaon: Nature of seasonal viral different this year, say officials

Gurgaon: No data is available with the health department regarding the number of chikungunya cases. Unlike in the case of dengue, it is not mandatory for hospitals and doctors to report every case of the infection.

The nature of the “seasonal viral” affecting Gurgaon residents this year is “fairly different” from previous years, according to health officials. While dengue was the menace in the previous years, this year, the number of dengue cases being reported is much less. Instead, “other kinds of viral”, especially chikungunya, have emerged as the main challenge, say officials.

“Thirty-four dengue cases have been reported in the city so far. This number is much less compared to last year, when approximately 170 cases were reported by September,” says Dr Ramesh Dhankar, Chief Medical Officer, Gurgaon.

Dr Kanta Goel, Principal Medical Officer, seconds this, saying, “At the Civil Hospital, only one dengue case has been confirmed so far. We are getting a large number of cases of other kinds of viral, especially chikungunya.”

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No data is available with the health department regarding the number of chikungunya cases. Unlike in the case of dengue, it is not mandatory for hospitals and doctors to report every case of the infection. The first official chikungunya diagnosis was confirmed at the Civil Hospital Saturday. The patient is a 35-year-old man from Bihar who works in Gurgaon. He was not admitted to the hospital. Officials, however, say, “His platelet count is being carefully monitored”.

Most private hospitals share similar information regarding the nature of the seasonal infection this year. Dr Rajesh Kumar, Senior Consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine at Paras Hospital, says the number of cases of chikungunya and “undifferentiated viral” coming in this year are “surprisingly high”. “This year, viral infections are severe. I am seeing 50 to 70 patients a day, and 90 to 95 per cent of them have some form of viral fever, be it dengue, chikungunya, or undifferentiated viral,” he adds. “Usually this is peak dengue season, but, right now, we are seeing more cases of chikungunya and undifferentiated viral. It is almost like an epidemic… Every second person has an infection.”

Officials at Medanta – The Medicity, speak of similar findings. “We are receiving over 50 cases every day with symptoms similar to chikungunya… Of these, 10-15 people who complain of severe aches are being admitted,” says Dr Sushila Kataria, Associate Director of Internal Medicine at the hospital. “There has been a steep increase in the suspected cases of chikungunya this year and it is certainly on a five-year high.”

At Fortis Memorial Research Institute, officials say dengue and chikungunya have seen an overall 40 per cent footfall this season.

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