Chikungunya-dengue outbreak in Delhi: Key facts and updates you should know!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Amid worsening health crisis in the national capital due to dengue and chikungunya outbreak, here are some facts and updates about the current outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases in Delhi.

Chikungunya updates

• Eleven people have died due to chikungunya in the national capital so far.
• Delhi Health minister Satyendra Jain said a probe has been ordered into the deaths from chikungunya.
• As dengue and chikungunya cases continue to rise in the city, the Delhi government has been criticised for failing to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding, like fogging and door-to-door sensitisation.
• The Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday said that chikungunya virus has a tendency not to show itself in the Chikungunya Igm serology test while it shows up during the RT-PCR test only, samples. The Hospital has been using it for the suspected samples.
• The RT-PCR test is being used by a very few hospitals currently in the national capital.
• It is said that many of the hospitals in Delhi have been performing the Igm serology test, which is probably the reason why a lot of hospitals have not been able to confirm the presence of Chikungunya.
• Delhi is witnessing its first outbreak of chikungunya after 2006. Chikungunya is a viral infection, marked by severe joint pain, muscle pain, fever, rashes, fatigue, nausea.
• Chikungunya disease does not often result in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling.
• Chikungunya virus is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female mosquitoes - Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which can also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue.
• Since there is no cure for the disease, treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
• Medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or paracetamol is given to reduce fever and pain.
• In addition to medication, patients should get get plenty of rest, drink fluids to prevent dehydration.

Fortunately, there are many natural ingredients that are easily available and can be used to treat or prevent chikungunya. Read our home remedy tips for chikungunya fever here.

Also, read our home remedies that are considered effective in managing chikungunya joint pain.

Dengue updates

• At least nine deaths have been reported in Delhi due to dengue this season.
• Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness, high fever, severe headache, joint pain, severe eye pain (behind the eyes), muscle or bone pain, rash, mild bleeding (e.g., nose or gum bleed, petechiae, or easy bruising), low white blood cell count.
• As with chikungunya, there is no specific treatment for dengue/ severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below 1%.
• Usually, analgesics (pain relievers) with acetaminophen are given to patients to relieve the symptoms.
• They should also rest, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Till September 10, civic bodies have put the figure of dengue and chikungunya infections at 1,158 and 1,057 respectively.

Besides, two people had died of malaria this season and at least 21 people in Delhi have been diagnosed with the vector-borne disease. Symptoms of malaria include sweating and chills, headaches and vomiting, anaemia, seizures in rare cases.

Delhi experienced one of its worst dengue outbreaks last year (2015) with the civic body confirming 15,867 dengue cases and the death toll reaching 60.

However, there has been a sharp increase in the number of Chikungunya cases this year in the national capoital as compared to previous years – 18 cases reported in 2013, 8 cases in 2014, and 64 in 2015.

Prevention and control of mosquito-borne illnesses depends on effective vector control measures such as – avoiding mosquito bites, using safe and effective insect repellents, keeping the surrounding areas clean, etc.

Meanwhile, the tussle between the Aam Aadmi party (AAP) and the BJP-led Centre reached its peak on Tuesday with the former putting the blame on Lt Governor and the civic bodies for the menace.

(With Agency inputs)