Delhi records 311 dengue cases, 20 of chikungunya

Dengue cases have risen to 311 and 20 cases of chikungunya have been recorded in the national capital this season, according to the three civic corporations.

According to the municipal corporations, the highest number of dengue cases have been witnessed in the areas under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation with the figure standing at 183.

In the areas of New Delhi Municipal Council, the number of dengue cases stands at 14, in East Delhi Municipal Corporation areas there are 43 cases, and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation has seen 40 cases.

Commenting on the situation, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said: "Cases witnessed by the city was very low and hence there was no issue of getting worried."

Dengue is transmitted by mosquito bite. It affects infants, young children and adults with symptoms appearing 3-14 days after the infective bite.

The city has witnessed three deaths due to dengue.

"The cases are not at all a reason to get worried. Delhi government hospitals regularly witness almost 1-1.5 lakh patients in the OPDs. Even if the number of dengue and chikungunya cases are around 40-50, there is no point of getting worried," Jain said to the media.

According to the municipal corporations, the total number of chikungunya cases stands at 20. However, sources at AIIMS have revealed that the hospital alone has 100 chikungunya patients admitted to the hospital, with several hospital staff among them.

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.

The joint pain is often debilitating and can vary in duration.

"The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common. There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms. The proximity of mosquito breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for chikungunya," according to the World Health Organization.

--IANS

rup/rn/vt