Pune: Heavy spells of rain , followed by intervals of intense heat and humidity, have sparked a sharp rise in dengue and chikungunya cases in the city, with both private and government hospitals reporting an increase in patients. PMC health officials said July and August have been particularly worrisome. Of the 1,725 cases of suspected dengue so far this year, 1,238 (70%) were detected in these two months alone.
As for confirmed cases of dengue, there have been 94 positive patients so far in Pune city — 84 of them (nearly 90%) were detected in the July-August period. Intense rains, followed by hot days, creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes , experts said. Doctors from private hospitals in the city said dengue-like symptoms are being seen in all age groups and confirmed that admissions have gone up.
Data released by PMC also showed there have been 54 confirmed cases of chikungunya this year - 44 of them were reported in the July-August period. Civic officials said Rs 5.72 lakh in fines have been collected so far from homes and businesses that were found ignoring norms and with mosquito breeding spots within premises.
"This is also happening due to changing rainfall patterns," said PMC's assistant health officer, Dr Suryakant Devkar. "Intense rainfall in the evenings followed by bright sunny mornings creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. But this increase in cases can also be attributed to improved surveillance for Zika, which has been reported in the city.
The health department was actively looking for cases," Dr Devkar said. On Aug 17, Pune district had 100 Zika cases, the most a state district has ever recorded. Doctors TOI spoke to said the burden of vector-borne infections has been increasing in Pune.
Dr Vichar Nigam, consultant, internal medicine, at Manipal Hospital in Kharadi said specialists have been seeing "a pattern of surge in mosquito-borne viral fevers". He said: "Urban areas are experiencing increases in the number of spots where water accumulates and mosquitoes breed. Those with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, metabolic disorders, chronic illnesses like liver and kidney problems, tend to slip into the severe disease phase very early.
Those who have adequate immunity can be treated at the OPD level. So, it is not that every patient who has been detected with dengue, malaria or chikungunya has to be admitted.".
