Chikungunya cases jump to over 2,600, outstrips dengue

New Delhi: The number of chikungunya cases in the national capital has mounted to 2,625, with nearly 60 per cent of these recorded in the last week, as the outbreak of this vector-borne disease eclipsed dengue. According to a municipal report released today, at least 1,568 chikungunya cases were recorded till September 17 in the last week, marking a massive rise of nearly 150 per cent from the previous count. The total number of dengue cases reported during this period has reached over 1,300, indicating the speed with which the chikungunya virus is spreading in Delhi. As per estimates by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation which tabulates the data for vector-borne disease cases in the national capital, on behalf of all the civic bodies here, 1,057 confirmed cases of chikungunya were reported till September 10. At least 15 fatalities due to chikungunya complications have been reported at various hospitals in the city, though SDMC and Delhi government have not acknowledged these deaths yet. The death toll due to dengue, however, in the national capital has risen to 19, as the city continued to grapple with the twin viral onslaught. Out of the 19 fatalities, nine have been reported at AIIMS, while the rest at other hospitals in the city. A senior doctor at the Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital today said that an "an adult man died of dengue about a month ago at our hospital." For chikungunya, among the three corporations, SDMC has recored 304 cases, followed by 244 in areas under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and 80 under the East Delhi Municipal Corporation. The chikungunya outbreak in the national capital is the worst in the last six years. And, at AIIMS laboratories, 1,748 chikungunya blood test samples have tested positive till yesterday. According to municipal data, the last time the number of affected people reached three-figure mark was in 2011. "In 2011, the total number of cases for chikungunya was 107, 6 (in 2012), 18 (2013), 8 (2014) and 64 last year. No deaths were recorded in these five years," according to official figures. Hospitals are continuing to see rising number of cases, even as Delhi Health Ministry has asserted that it was all prepared to combat the mosquito menace. Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital, the biggest under the Delhi government, has this season recored 462 chikungunya cases, while nearly 750 people on an average are visiting its fever clinics everyday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday made a fervent appeal to all to shun politics and jointly tackle the menace of vector-borne diseases on a war-footing. Doctors say the treatment of chikungunya, which is generally non-fatal, is symptomatic and advise rest and lot of fluid intake and rest for recovery.