Repeat dengue cases,more sting in tail

Doctors said this season’s number of repeat dengue cases was lower than the previous years.

Dr Atul Gogia of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said: “We see repeat dengue cases every year. Patients infected by the mosquito-borne virus of a particular strain usually become immune to it. But they can contract the virus from other strains. This year,too,we have seen several cases in the past month.”

Doctors said patients suffering from a dengue attack for the second time were usually more prone to complications.

“Most of these patients require hospitalisation since the complications associated with dengue,like platelet fall ,haemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome,which can lead to internal bleeding are more likely in these patients. We have seen a lot of these cases and the patients have been hospitalised,” Dr D S Chadha of Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj said.

A senior specialist from AIIMS said all repeat dengue patients reported in the institute had contracted the disease in the past years. “Patients who had tested positive in past seasons have been diagnosed with repeat dengue. The number of such cases are fewer this year,” he said.

Health officials said there’s no separate monitoring system for repeat dengue cases.

Delhi Health Minister Dr A K Walia said: “We have seen one death from dengue haemorrhagic fever — a nine-year-old girl from Sangam Vihar — last month. Otherwise,doctors’ reports suggest that the virus is less aggressive this year. We are seeing cases of platelet fall,but the problem is adequately controlled and if needed we are giving (platelet) transfusions.”

The government has made it mandatory for blood banks to ensure platelets are available round the clock for dengue patients. Dr Walia said blood banks were told to work 24×7 to ensure that patient requiring platelets weren’t turned away.

Health officials said the number of patients who need blood transfusions was fewer than previous years.

Dengue strains

Dengue has four identified strains. Type-I is most common,while Type-III is known for its virulent effects such as haemorrhage and shock syndrome.

“If a patient contracts dengue for a second time,it is likely that earlier he got the milder and more prevalent form,” an AIIMS specialist said.

Fresh cases

The three municipal corporations in the city reported 33 cases of dengue on Thursday,taking this season’s total count to 551. Maximum number of cases were reported from Shahdara (North) and Shahdara (South) of East Municipal Corporation.