Two dengue deaths in 10 days at Chennai hospital

CHENNAI: Cases of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness that can be fatal, have been rising since July across Chennai, which has long struggled with the disease. Over the past two weeks at least three city hospitals have reported deaths due to severe dengue or viral hemorrhagic fever.Two deaths were reported by the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre in the last ten days. On October 22, 30-year-old Pooja, a resident of Ayappakkam, died hours after being admitted to the hospital. "She came to the hospital at around noon in shock. Her vitals were unstable, and she was wheeled into the ICU immediately. She was a diabetic. Her condition continued to deteriorate despite treatment. By around 9 pm, we declared her dead," said hospital dean Dr Balaji Singh.On Sunday, a 15-year-old boy from Poonamallee succumbed to dengue at the same hospital. Doctors said he was being treated at a private hospital. "When he came here, we had very little time to do anything," doctors said. Hospitals including Gleneagles Global Health City and children's hospitals such as Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital have also reported deaths over the last fifteen days.Dengue, a viral fever transmitted by the Aedes mosquito is seen throughout the year in Chennai. However, it peaks during the monsoon between September and November every year. Aedes mosquitoes have adapted to thrive in urban areas, feeding on people and breeding in small bits of trapped water in places such as old tires, discarded bottle caps, and trays used to catch air-conditioner drips. Tamil Nadu has reported more than 5,000 cases of dengue and seven deaths this year. Officials in the directorate of public health and Greater Chennai Corporation, deaths were reconciled by a team of experts before they were tagged as dengue deaths in the official registry. Most people who test positive for dengue have mild flu-like illness and are advised increase in fluid intake and rest at home. Since there are no specific treatments, patients with dengue are given medicines to manage symptoms such as pain. "It is important for patients, particularly children and the elderly, to meet a doctor at the right time," said infectious diseases expert Dr Subramanian Swaminathan of Gleneagles Global Health City.