SURAT:
More than dengue and malaria
, a mysterious
viral fever is triggering panic in the city.
This
fever has symptoms similar to dengue and is termed as suspected dengue. However, it is different from dengue.
Dr Himanshu Desai explains: “We have seen an increase in dengue and non-dengue viral fever cases. However, non-dengue viral fever cases are up by 20-25% in the last week or so.”
Dr Desai adds, “ Every hospital in the city has number of viral fever cases which are not dengue as the stains of the virus has changed a bit over the years. Like it happens in dengue, platelet count doesn’t get reduced in this fever, liver function also doesn’t change, but it looks exactly like dengue.”
Present atmosphere with a high soaring temperature is conducive to viral fever. Such atmosphere spreads infection. According to Dr Desai, a large number of respiratory viral impact is also witnessed in many cases. Cases of simple throat infection leading to fever are also reported in large numbers.
Dr J P Vaghadia, in-charge, Vector Borne Diseases Control (VBCD) Department, says, “ It is a different virus almost similar to dengue that is creating a havoc. It is not dengue as platelets in the patients body is not decreasing. It is a viral fever which is creating panic of suspected dengue .
Dr Pradip Umrigar, senior member of health department of Surat Municipal Corporation says, “Best treatment for such fever is proper fluid management. Proper Sugar and salt maintenance in body will reduce the effect of such viral fever.” He adds, “There are more than 1,000 such fever cases in SMIMER.”
At present, more than 2,160 patients suffering from vector-borne diseases have been undergoing treatment at two major government hospitals of the city since the past three days. The other private hospitals and clinics have also treated 2,000-odd patients suffering from vector-borne diseases during the same period.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.