Dengue cases hit double figures, 7 new cases reported

The number dengue cases have hit double figures in Gurgaon. With seven new cases reported on Thursday, the toll has risen to 13 this season. However, no dengue related fatalities have been reported.

The number dengue cases have hit double figures in Gurgaon. With seven new cases reported on Thursday, the toll has risen to 13 this season. However, no dengue related fatalities have been reported.

Gurgaon gets flooded after light rain and water takes time to drain. Waterlogged roads could turn breeding grounds for Aedes mosquito, the carrier of the dengue virus. (HT)

The first case was confirmed on June 22. As many as 64 suspected blood samples are also being tested for the dengue virus.

The infection has been contracted by two residents of DLF Phase 3 and five others from Chakkarpur, Jharsa, Sector 31, Tigra and Gurgaon Gaon.

A health department official said patients are monitored closely and the infection appears to be transmitted locally. Samples of people having symptoms such as high fever, headache, nausea and appetite loss have been sent for confirmation.

The health department attributed the sudden rise in cases to last week’s incessant rain that led to waterlogging in several areas. It may have lead to the breeding of Aedes mosquito, the carrier of dengue virus.

The health department is monitoring such areas and has initiated various curative and preventive measures such as fumigation drives and breeding gambusia fish that feed on dengue larvae.

“Elisa tests have a high error (inaccuracy) rate in diagnosing dengue, and it was adding to the panic. Hence, officials have been directed to notify only those dengue cases that have been detected through the NS1 rapid antigen test,” Dr Ramesh Dhankar, chief medical officer, civil hospital, said.

Seeing the surge in cases, the district health authority has dedicated wards for dengue patients at civil hospital and government hospital in Sector 10. These wards can accommodate 10-12 patients.

Last year, the city reached a three-year high in dengue cases with the district health department registering 459 cases. As many as 375 cases were reported in 2012, 175 in 2013, and 86 in 2014.