Delhi reports season's first dengue death; dos, don'ts issued

As the national capital reported this season's first dengue death -- an 18-year-old succumbing to the mosquito borne virus last week, the Delhi government on Tuesday issued an advisory to prevent spread of the disease.

"All establishments including government and private hospitals are directed to identify a Nodal Officer to ensure that there is no mosquito breeding in the premises," the government said in a release issued here.

Delhi has recorded 90 cases of dengue till July 23 of which 38 are from Delhi and 52 from outside Delhi.

The government has said it has provided "adequate quantity of Dengue diagnostic kits NS1 Ag (ELISA based) and MAC ELISA" to all sentinel surveillance hospitals.

In its orders, the government has asked authorities to "put a cap on the rates for platelet count test at Rs 50 and NS1 Elisa test at Rs 600. Directions have been issued to hospitals to arrange adequate quantity of logistics (beds, bed nets, IV fluids, medicines etc)."

"Fever corners have been established at all the 33 government hospitals, 262 dispensaries and 106 Mohalla clinics. All medical and paramedical staff have been sensitized regarding prevention and management of dengue. Dedicated dengue beds have been earmarked in hospitals," it added.

The government has directed all the hospitals "to admit dengue cases on priority basis, and to ensure that no patient is denied admission."

In a meeting held with representatives from residents welfare associations from all over Delhi to involve people in dengue control activities, the government also decided to "involve school children and students from colleges and stress on the point that awareness campaign should ensure active participation of citizens."

"More emphasis should be on prevention of dengue by controlling the mosquito breeding since majority of the mosquito breeding takes place in fresh water collected in plastic containers, broken bottles, plastic overhead water tanks, cement tanks, water coolers, tyres, flower pots, trash etc".

Farheen, resident of Jafrabad in north east delhi, died at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) hospital on July 21 where she was undergoing treatment since a day before her death.

According to the father of the deceased, their daughter was admitted to the Delhi Government's Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital after witnessing dengue symptoms like fluctuating fever and vomiting.

--IANS

ruwa/rn/vt