The monsoon has just set in and already hospitals across the city are witnessing an increasing number of viral fever and suspected dengue cases. On an average, every day Dr B.R. Ambedkar Medical College gets five to eight new cases of viral fever for the past one week.
“Among them, there was one suspected case of dengue. The report has been sent to the Virology Institute at Victoria Hospital and we are expecting the result by the weekend,” said a spokesperson from the medical college and hospital. Majority of viral fever cases coming in are children, mainly from around DJ Halli and Tannery Road areas. High fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and a very low platelet count are among their major complaints. Asked about the possible reason, she said: “The climate change is one of the chief reasons and the stagnating rain water provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Children can easily fall prey to such virus because of their low immunity.”
At Jayanagar General Hospital, too, there has been a substantial increase in the number of viral infection cases for the past few days. “Most people affected by viral infections have common symptoms, like running nose, body pain, headache, sore throat, fever for three or four days, cough and in some cases, wheezing. Those suffering from gastrointestinal infections have diarrohoea, vomiting and dehydration.”
The situation is no different at the paediatric unit of Vani Vilas Hospital. Dr R. Premlatha, Paediatric ICU Incharge, Vani Vilas Hospital, said: “For the past few days, we are getting an increasing number of such cases in our paediatric section and some of these cases are severe. Children are brought in bleeding condition and with shock due to high fever. Few suspected cases of dengue too came in and their reports have been sent to the Virology Institute at Victoria Hospital.”
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike claims to be fighting the deadly dengue and other viral infections. Dr Lokesh, Project Director, dengue and chickungunya control, BBMP, said: “Monsoon is generally favourable for viruses to mutate. There is no outbreak, but only a negligible number of viral fever and dengue cases reported. Starting from January 1, 2012 till date 15 positive cases of dengue and two cases of chickungunya have been reported.” “We have intensified fogging wherever there have been dengue and chickungunya cases. Spraying, source reduction activity and also awareness campaigns are being carried on a routine basis,” he said.