Dengue strikes even before monsoon

Two more cases of the disease reported, official count goes up to six

Two new cases of dengue have been reported in Max Life Care hospital in Dwarka, south west Delhi. Dr Nitendra Singh, the treating doctor for both, has confirmed the finding.

Both the patients belong to the same family from Pochanpur Village. Rakesh Sehrawat, 32, and his nephew Jai Sehrawat, 10, were admitted to the hospital after their platelet count was found to be coming down.

“When Rakesh was brought, his platelet count was constantly falling. The test for dengue came positive. He had symptoms of malaria too,” said Dr Singh.

Meanwhile, his nephew was admitted to the hospital too. Both have been discharged after treatment.

Dr Singh said due to the heat wave, use of coolers has increased manifold these days. Stagnant water in coolers is a common breeding ground for mosquitoes, including aedes.

The official count of dengue cases has gone up to six. This time the cases have started to be reported even before the onset of monsoon, indicating that the disease might spread severely.

Last Thursday Delhi government instructed related agencies to take preventive measures to tackle dengue menace in the city.

There has been an increase in breeding of mosquitoes in the capital, said health minister Dr A K Walia quoting reports by National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) and other local agencies. 

This year mosquito breeding has been reported from more than 12,000  places. Last year the corresponding figure was 7,653.

According to NVBDCP report from February to June, the density of mosquito breeding has reached dangerous mark.