Dengue situation worsens in Bihar, 1 person dies at Bhagalpur dist

Patna: The state has recorded its first dengue death with a patient undergoing treatment at a Bhagalpur hospital falling prey to the disease.

Meanwhile, 18 fresh dengue cases were recorded in the state on Friday, the highest on a single day this season, taking the total patient count to 136.

The daily logbook of State Health Society, Bihar confirmed one death due to dengue in Bhagalpur. However, when contacted, Bhagalpur civil surgeon said the patient died due to secondary infection, and not dengue.”

The most affected district is Patna where 33 cases have already been reported. Patna is followed by Bhojpur (11 cases), Gaya (nine cases), Muzaffarpur (eight cases) and Saran (six cases). All other districts have reported less than five cases. Khagaria, West Champaran, Darbhanga, Sheohar, Madhepura, Madhubani and Sitamarhi have so far not been touched by the disease. Last year, 284 cases were registered in the state.

In Patna, the virus has now spread its wings to new areas. On Friday, positive cases were reported from Govind Mitra Road, Naya Tola, Mahendroo, Chiraiyantand, PMCH campus and Patel Nagar.

Meanwhile, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is yet to start fogging as most of the four big and 59 small machines are lying defunct. While it is PMC’s job to do fogging in municipal areas, the health department is tasked to carry out the drive in rural areas. Many machines of health department are also not functional, but health officials said the machines can be borrowed from other districts in such cases.

Although all medical college and hospitals in the state have been instructed to create dengue wards, a visit to PMCH reveals lack of preparedness. M P Chaudhary, a resident of Kurji area in the city, alleged no drug was available in the hospital. “Even saline water has to be purchased. I have to spend at least Rs 1,000 on drugs per day,” he said. Other patients admitted in three rooms of 20-bed ward echoed Chaudhary’s tone. Migratory population has also led to rise in dengue cases in Patna. Two students of Bihar who had gone to Kota for coaching are undergoing treatment at PMCH. “Except 3-4 students, all my hostel mates have contracted the disease,” said an Ara student who studies at Kota.

Though the ward appeared clean, mosquito nets were not available there. “If aedes aegypti, the dengue causing mosquito, bites a patient already infected, the mosquito gets infected. This is mosquito-human-mosquito-human cycle,” explains Dr Diwakar Tejaswi. He, however, added that 90% dengue cases are treated in the first stage itself. “If it worsens to dengue hemorrhagic fever, it can lead to internal bleeding and the infusion of platelets becomes necessary,” he added.

Dr Tejaswi said patients suffering from cardiac problems, diabetes, liver or kidney problems need to be extra-cautious because in their case the problems may complicate. Also, one must strictly not take aspirin tablet as it may thin the blood further.

Courtesy: TNN