New Delhi, As the cases of viral illnesses start to ebb, vector-borne diseases are showing a steep rise in the national capital. Out-patient departments of Delhi hospitals are reporting a rise in the daily cases of Dengue.
According to the data collated by municipal corporations, Delhi reported 62 cases of Dengue last week, a rise by mere 9 cases in a week previous to the last week when 53 cases were recorded. However, the hospitals are reporting cases of Dengue in a day equivalent to the civic bodies' weekly tally.
A dozen of private and government hospitals UNI spoke to indicated underreporting of Dengue cases.
On average, the hospitals are witnessing 3-5 Dengue cases every day.
Dr Monika Langeh, emergency physician, at a private hospital said that she witnessed up to 15 cases of Dengue in a day.
Manipal hospital estimated reporting around 3 cases of Dengue every day. According to the hospital, it's a three-time rise to the prevalence of Dengue seen a couple of weeks ago.
"Earlier, our OPD was filled with a viral illness. But it has subsided now and taken up by Dengue cases. We are also admitting the patients whose health condition cannot be managed at home," Dr Ankita Baidya, Consultant - Infectious Diseases, Manipal hospitals, said.
Delhi government's Lok Nayak Hospital also informed UNI that it is reporting up to four cases of Dengue every day.
Many other hospitals told the same scenario happening inside their OPDs but wished to maintain anonymity.
This year's Dengue tally, 273 so far, is the highest since the last year when the city saw 212 cases. However, no death has been reported so far suggesting less severity of the disease, according to the municipal corporations' data.
Dr Suresh Kumar, Director, Lok Nayak Hospital also said that while the cases are being reported in plenty, the severity is less so far. He also said that this year, Dengue had favourable conditions to breed compared to 2020.
"No deaths (Dengue) have been reported so far. Factors like rain and waterlogging suitable for the growth of vector-borne diseases are seen more this year compared to the last year. Higher rainfall, waterlogging and water collection in tyres, or containers provide breeding ground to the mosquitoes of the Aedes species which spread vector-borne diseases," he added.
Baidya said that Thrombocytopenia, fall in platelets level "are definitely there" but a majority of the cases are reporting mild to moderate form of the disease.
"Fever, pain in joints and behind the eyes are also symptoms of viral illness and overlaps with Dengue. One should not consider it just a viral illness and must get an immediate medical check-up. Meanwhile, full-length clothes should be donned and mosquito net should be used so that the disease does not spread further by the mosquitos," she advised.