BackChikungunya cases in Delhi rise 150% to 2,625 since last week: Municipal data
As per estimates by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), 1,057 confirmed cases of chikungunya were reported till 10 September
Premium
New Delhi: There seems to be no respite from the viral onslaught in Delhi where chikungunya cases have mounted to over 2,600, with 1,568 of them being recorded in the past one week.
According to a municipal report released on Monday, 2,625 chikungunya cases have been recorded in the national capital till 17 September, marking a massive rise of nearly 150% from the previous count.
As per estimates by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), which tabulates the data for vector-borne disease cases in Delhi on behalf of all civic agencies, 1,057 confirmed cases of chikungunya were reported till 10 September.
At least 15 fatalities due to chikungunya complications have been reported at various hospitals in the city, though the SDMC and the Delhi government have not acknowledged these deaths yet.
Among the three corporations, SDMC recorded 304 cases, followed by 244 in areas under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and 80 under the East Delhi Municipal Corporation.
Some 1,283 cases have been recorded from areas falling outside the jurisdiction of the municipal corporations. Addresses were not available for 1,018 patients among these cases.
At least 714 cases were recorded from other states, according to the report. At AIIMS laboratories, 1,748 chikungunya blood test samples have tested positive till Sunday.
The chikungunya outbreak in the national capital is the worst in the past six years. According to municipal data, the last time the number of affected people reached three-figure mark was in 2011.
“In 2011, the total number of cases for chikungunya was 107, 6 (in 2012), 18 (2013), 8 (2014) and 64 last year. No deaths were recorded in these five years," according to official figures.
Hospitals are continuing to see rising number of cases, even as the Delhi health ministry has asserted that it was all prepared to combat the mosquito menace.
Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital, the biggest under the Delhi government, has this season recorded 462 chikungunya cases, while nearly 750 people on an average are visiting its fever clinics everyday.
RML Hospital is getting 800-900 patients in its fever clinics daily and 450 people have been diagnosed with chikungunya there this season.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday made a fervent appeal to all to shun politics and jointly tackle the menace of vector-borne diseases on a war-footing.
Doctors say the treatment of chikungunya is symptomatic and advise rest and lot of fluid intake and rest for recovery. The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to dengue, but experts say chikungunya is generally not “life-threatening" but in rare cases can trigger complications which prove fatal, especially in elderly and children.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
