97 dengue deaths across country

Despite preventive measures, the death toll due to dengue reached 97 across the country as 484 new cases of the mosquito-borne disease were reported on Friday, taking the total number of those afflicted to 4737.

After a gap of a couple of days, two more persons have succumbed to the viral disease in Delhi, raising the number of deaths in the national capital to 27.

As many as 92 new fresh cases were reported since Thursday from Delhi and its neighbouring regions, where 1278 people have suffered from dengue, the highest in the country.

A 70-year-old woman, who was rushed to All India Institute of Medical Sciences from neighbouring Ballabhgarh on Thursday evening, died within hours of her admission, while a 40-year-old woman succumbed to the viral infection early Friday morning.

At least 4737 dengue cases have been reported from across the country, an official of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme said.

Besides Delhi, 794 cases of dengue have been detected in Kerala, 456 cases in Rajasthan, 441 in Gujarat, 405 in West Bengal, 349 in Uttar Pradesh, 307 in Tamil Nadu, 250 in Punjab, 240 in Maharashtra, 100 in Haryana, 90 in Karnataka and 27 in Andhra Pradesh.

A total of at least 16 affected states included Bihar, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Dengue death toll so far has been 27 in Delhi, 22 in Maharastra, 10 each in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, seven in Karnataka, five in Andhra Pradesh, four in Kerala, three each in Punjab, Gujarat and West Bengal, two in Haryana and one each in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.

The Vector Control Programme official said that as part of dengue prevention and control strategy, the affected states have been carrying out awareness campaigns and taking steps to contain mosquito breeding and undertaking fogging and cleaning operations.

Data in the last 10 years showed that maximum number of cases and death due to dengue were reported in 1996 when Delhi and its neighbouring states accounted for 423 deaths and 10252 cases.

In 2003, dengue deaths were high at 215 and the number of cases were 12754, he said.

The official said risk of dengue has shown an increase in recent years due to rapid urbanisation, lifestyle changes and deficient water management, leading to proliferation of mosquito breeding sites.

Of the 92 fresh cases in the capital on Friday, 44 were admitted to AIIMS where 160 patients are being treated for the viral infection.

The Delhi government has instructed its civic bodies to intensify fogging operations and also take effective measures to control the breeding of mosquitoes.