Dengue stalks Ghaziabad, cases touch 340; 15 'sensitive' areas identified

NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: Ghaziabad is feeling dengue's sting, officially reporting 340 cases so far this season. Neighbouring Noida, on the other hand, has so far reported 48 cases, though doctors at various private hospitals said that the actual number in both the NCR districts would be higher, going by the footfall at clinics and out-patient departments .

On Thursday, Ghaziabad added 12 new dengue cases to its total tally. Fortunately, neither Ghaziabad nor Noida has officially reported a death. Last year, Noida and Ghaziabad recorded 252 and 586 dengue cases, respectively. Ghaziabad has also reported seven cases of malaria so far this year, while GB Nagar's figure is 82.
The Ghaziabad health department has so far identified more than 15 sensitive areas, including Crossings Republik, Bhimnagar, Indirapuram, Nyaykhand and Shakti Khand, where fogging drives are on. But waterlogging at many places due to the recent showers means there are many more breeding spots for mosquitoes, which has compounded the challenge for the corporation.
Dr RK Gupta, district surveillance officer, Ghaziabad, said, "Our health teams are continuously carrying out fogging drives across the district. The increase in the numbers is due to the recent rains and we are also making people aware about not storing water near their house and wearing full sleeve dresses, among other precautions." "The number of patients coming to the hospital's OPD with symptoms like fever, headache, nausea and vomiting has certainly increased in the past one week," Dr Rajpal Singh, senior physician, MMG hospital, Ghaziabad, said.
"Even if the blood platelets are not very low, the patients having high fever, consistent vomiting and weakness are being hospitalised for additional care. Still the majority of the patients are recovering with medication at home. We are asking the patients to take nutritious diets for faster recovery," he added. Doctors in Noida also reported an 10-15% increase in patients coming to the OPDs with dengue-like symptoms.
Dr Ajit Kumar from Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida, said, "Normally, dengue-related symptoms, including fever, headache and vomiting, persist for 5-6 days and the severity increases gradually. This time, we are seeing many patients coming to us with initial symptoms."