70% ‘dengue deaths’ had some other cause

A review of deaths attributed to dengue fever in Punjab has found that in 70% of these cases reported in the past three years by the media and private hospitals, the cause was instead septicaemia or related illnesses.

A review of deaths attributed to dengue fever in Punjab has found that in 70% of these cases reported in the past three years by the media and private hospitals, the cause was instead septicaemia or related illnesses.

A review of deaths attributed to dengue fever in Punjab has found that in 70% of these cases reported in the past three years by the media and private hospitals, the cause was instead septicaemia or related illnesses. (HT Photo)

Principal secretary for health and family welfare Vini Mahajan stated on Friday here that Punjab was the first state to begin a review of these deaths. “A significant number of the patients died of fluid overload actually, which means that the intravenous fluid administered was far more than required. All the doctors need to be sensitised to avoid unnecessary administration of IV-fluid, blood and platelets. They should do it based on the clinical condition and requirement only,” said Mahajan.

Research showed that since only a single virus (Den 2) is was in circulation in Punjab, haemorrhage and shock were not as much responsible for mortality in dengue-fever cases in the state. The principal secretary added that the dengue-death review had started in 2012. “The purpose is to know the actual cause of death. The findings are used for sensitising doctors in the government as well as private sector, so that we are able to decrease the mortality rate,” she said.