According to Officials, the Indian capital, Delhi, is in the grip of the worst outbreak of dengue fever in five years. More than 1,800 cases have been recorded in recent weeks, compared to 1,695 cases for all of 2010. Five deaths have been reported so far.
It was observed that the mosquito that carries the dengue virus breeds in containers with clear, stagnant water. And that Dengue cases usually increases during and just after the rainy season, which normally lasts from June to September.
Hospitals and clinics across the city have been inundated with patients, putting a strain on emergency services. The government in Delhi has ordered 1,000 extra bed in hospitals to treat dengue patients after a couple jumped to their death from a four-storey building in Delhi last week, two days after their son died of the fever being allegedly refused treatment at a number of city hospitals.
Satyendar Jain, Delhi Health Minister has also ordered the setting up of “fever clinics” at hospitals to deal with the rush of patients. And that all government hospitals should not refuse to admit dengue patients even if they have to treat two patients on a single bed,” he said.
The Director of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, YK Mann told the AFP news agency that this was “the worst outbreak in the last five years and it is going to further increase as the weather remains humid”.
Monsoon rains provide more breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes, who lay their eggs in stagnant water, including pots of clean water, puddles and open sewage drains.
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