Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam

According to BL Yadav, a resident of Aronj village in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, around 1200 people are sick in his village, out of which, around 200 people are admitted in the hospital.

In the past few days, various districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Firozabad, Mathura, Kasganj, Agra, Etah and Mainpuri have been a spike in people being hospitalised with what's being called as 'mysterious' fever.

Doctors have ruled out COVID-19 as dengue-like symptoms are being seen in the patients.

In these districts, as of 3 September, there have been reports of more than 71 deaths due to fever.

The district of Firozabad, has recorded the highest number of cases so far including 61 deaths (as of 3 September). What's especially concerning is that most of the deaths have been among children.

Chief Medical Superintendent of Firozabad District Hospital, Dr Hansraj Singh says that the 100-bed ward in their hospital made specially for children is now occupied by 238 patients. Of these patients,78 have tested positive for dengue.

According to Firozabad's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Dinesh Kumar Premi, the monsoon season is to blame. "At this time, mosquitoes and the diseases spread by them have increased," he says.

Dr L K Gupta, Child Specialist in Firozabad says that dengue is caused by mosquito bite. "It is impacting children more because children play around the drain, do not wear full clothes," he says.

Dr Gupta explains that in dengue patients with fever, symptoms can manifest as,

• Acute headache

• Body ache

• There may be a red rash on the body, which may also be itchy

In Firozabad, in some children, swelling in the liver, water in the stomach, and lungs have also been observed.

Local people complain that patients are not getting proper treatment. With hospitals falling short of beds, 2 to 3 patients are being forced to share one bed. Even getting consultation in the hospital is a huge ordeal.

Addressing this, the Chief Medical Officer of Firozabad, Dr. Dinesh Kumar Premi says that the whole system is being looked into, and it will be fixed soon.

According to him, the health department teams are going door-to-door to ensure sanitation practices are being followed in the homes.

He says that despite complaining of dirt and waterlogging, hearing is not being done.

How do you protect children from dengue and other viral fevers?

• Wear full sleeve clothes in this season

• Avoid mosquito bites

• Do not allow water to stagnate anywhere

• If you have water coolers or drains near your home, get them cleaned

• Prevent children from going near drains, waterlogged and littered areas

• If you have fever, see the doctor and get the necessary tests done