No need to panic for rise in Dengue, Chikungunya cases: J P Nadda

Nadda said that all the central government hospitals are fully equipped and capable to deal with the situation

With Delhi witnessing a sudden spurt in Dengue and Chikungunya cases, Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Tuesday asked people not to panic and asserted that his Ministry was working in close coordination with the Delhi government and various agencies to tackle the outbreak.

Observing that the focus should be on "symptomatic" treatment and prevention, Nadda said that municipal bodies have been directed to ensure that there is no stagnation of water and cleanliness is maintained.

He said that all the central government hospitals were fully equipped to deal with the situation.

"For Dengue and Chikungunya, we had started our preparations from January itself this year. We had issued advisories from time to time. We have been keeping a close watch in terms of availability of kits, training of staff, bed strength. We are working with Delhi government and various agencies in close coordination.

"I would request everybody not to panic. We have to ensure symptomatic treatment. We should lay stress on prevention. I have directed the municipal bodies to maintain cleanliness and at the same time ensure that there is no stagnation of water. If we can do this, we can reduce the number of patients suffering from both these diseases. All our hospitals are fully equipped," Nadda said.

Chikungunya cases in Delhi have shot up to 423, a massive rise in the figure released by civic authorities, who had reported just 20 cases till last week.

According to a municipal report released yesterday, 423 cases had been diagnosed in the national capital till August 27. Safdarjung Hospital had reported nearly 250 cases till August 29.

Meanwhile, 487 cases of Dengue have so far been reported in the national capital this season, with 368 of them being recorded in August.

311 cases of the vector-borne disease were reported till August 20, while 176 cases came to light in last week alone, marking a rise of nearly 57 per cent.

An 18-year-old boy died yesterday of Dengue at Apollo Hospital in south Delhi, taking to five the number of fatalities due to the vector-borne disease.

The Centre had recently asked South Delhi Municipal Corporation to compile a report of Dengue and Chikungunya cases while asking the state governments to include modality of treatment for the diseases in its awareness campaigns.