AIIMS records 6 deaths due to dengue, chikungunya since Sep 1

New Delhi: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has witnessed five deaths due to dengue and one from chikunguniya since September 1, even as the premier hospital continues to get hundreds of patients suffering from the vector-borne diseases. "AIIMS has witnessed a total of six deaths due to vector-borne diseases this month. Since September 1, five of the patients have died due to dengue and one from chikungunya," a senior authority at AIIMS told IANS on condition of anonymity. According to the official, the last death was of a 30 year-old man, who tested positive for dengue in the first week of the month. He died on September 9. "The victim succumbed due to complications from dengue on September 9. He was a resident of east Delhi," said the official. Last week, over 400 patients tested positive for chikungunya at AIIMS, taking the cases being treated by the hospital alone to nearly 900. Speaking to IANS, Lalit Dar of AIIMS' Department of Microbiology told IANS: "Cases testing positive for chikungunya are rising. Till now some 885 samples have tested positive for dengue, of which over 400 are new ones in the last two weeks." However, the civic bodies data shows a lower count. According to it, the total number of chikungunya cases in Delhi stood at only 560 till September 3, while the total dengue cases were 771. Following the rise in vector-borne diseases, which also includes malaria, the Cabinet Secretary has directed the health authorities at the central and state governments and municipal corporation level to increase public awareness, with the aim of prevention and also ensure availability of medicines. Among those affected by the mosquito-borne diseases are a number of doctors of both central and Delhi government hospitals, which has led to staff crunch in many departments. Government-run Safdarjung Hospital officials told IANS that 10-12 senior faculty members have tested positive for chikungunya, while at least 25 junior doctors, including senior and junior residents, are suffering from chikungunya and dengue.