Dengue tightens grip over Bengaluru

BENGALURU: “We just got a bed for our mother after it was diagnosed that she is suffering from dengue and needs to be under observation, because her platelet count is falling,” said Sukanth Das, whose 56-year-old mother has been admitted at a private hospital in the city. “It is scary because my mother is already weak and has high blood pressure,” he added. Like Sukanth many others in the city too share the same anxiety once the doctors confirm that the patient has dengue.

According to the state health department this year there were 464 suspected dengue cases in the city and 261 have been tested positive. However, these figures appear too small considering the number of cases that city hospitals are witnessing. In fact many of them are facing shortage of beds for patients. “In our hospital we are witnessing some 15-20 dengue cases and we do face bed shortage. In addition hospitals all over the city are facing shortage of platelets,” said Dr Murali Kumar of Chinmaya Mission Hospital.

“Everyday we are getting some 3-5 new dengue cases. Another worry is that among many patients there is a fall in heart rate due to dengue,” said Dr Bindumathi P.L., Professor, Sapthagiri Medical College.

Sources at Dr Thomas Diagnostic lab said that nearly 2-3% of the total cases that come to them are dengue related. Another diagnostic lab at Indiranagar confirms that there are many cases of dengue in the city.

As for disparity in the numbers, BBMP project coordinator for National Vector-borne Disease Control Programme Dr Naveen said that 245 cases of dengue were reported within the BBMP limits. “We only consider cases that have been confirmed by National Institute of Virology,” he added.

State Health and Family Welfare Minister K.R. Ramesh Kumar told Deccan Chronicle that “Dengue and Chikungunya need to be addressed immediately and we have to go in for cleaning of toilets at all government hospitals.”