MCD under-reporting dengue, malaria cases

A random survey of 12 Delhi hospitals conducted by the Hindustan Times has revealed that the number of dengue and malaria cases this season is actually thrice of what has been reported by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Jaya Shroff Bhalla reports.

A random survey of 12 Delhi hospitals conducted by the Hindustan Times has revealed that the number of dengue and malaria cases this season is actually thrice of what has been reported by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

HT Image

If one considers the figures from the more than 80 city hospitals — public and private, excluding small, private chambers — the magnitude of the mosquito menace seems unimaginable.

On Tuesday, MCD records showed 82 dengue cases — including one death — and 121 malaria cases. But when we gathered reports from independent hospitals, we found the figures to be substantially higher.

“Apollo and other peripheral hospitals receive a substantial number of cases from other states, which they probably don’t include in the list of cases they give us,” said Dr NK Yadav, medical health officer, MCD.

Like previous years, MCD officials this time too argued that most private hospitals were not performing the mandatory IgM Capture Elisa test. “As per government of rules, a case is considered positive if the IgM serology report is positive. A number of hospitals are sending us reports based on the rapid kit and NS1 test. But we can’t count them as dengue cases,” he said.

“When compared to last year, we have definitely been able to curb the mosquito menace, especially Aedes Egypti mosquitoes, which breed in fresh water and cause dengue,” said another MCD doctor.

“This time, unlike last few years, the malaria cases are twice the number of dengue cases, as anopheles mosquitoes breed along river belts. Our records show that most malaria cases are being reported from Narela, Civil Lines, Shahdara - all settlements along the Yamuna bank,” he added.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, however, had another story to tell. “Both malaria and dengue cases are trickling in, in big numbers. Every week, we are getting an average of five to six cases of malaria and dengue in each of our four clinics,” said Dr SP Byotra, director, medicine department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

“People are coming with high-grade fever and a low platelet count. The numbers will rise if rains continue,” he said.

Medicine experts at AIIMS also reported getting dengue patients. "There is a definite need for more aggressive measures on the part of civic agencies to control mosquito breeding," said a doctor, requesting anonymity.