Chikungunya Doesn’t Kill, Says Satyendar Jain as Toll Rises to 6

The statement comes as the disease claims 6 lives in Delhi, with over 1,000 cases reported in the city till now.

Even as the number of reported chikungunya cases has crossed 1,000 this season, Health Minister Satyendar Jain says that there isn’t any outbreak. (Photo: ANI screengrab)

Chikungunya claimed the life of an 80-year-old man in Delhi on Wednesday as the death toll went up to six, reported NDTV.

After chikungunya had already claimed five lives in the national capital and many continued to suffer, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said at a press conference:

There has never been a death from chikungunya. There’s no outbreak. It has been created by you (media) by spreading panic.

Even as the number of cases of the vector-borne disease recorded has crossed the 1,000 mark in Delhi and 12,000 in the country this season, the top administrative brass of the capital has indulged in a blame-game.

Blaming MCD for the rising cases, Jain said that LG Najeeb Jung and the Central government should be questioned for the ongoing health crisis.

“Two MCD mayors are out of Delhi, ask them why? Their only work is to ensure cleanliness. There are only 40% beds under the Delhi government. We are not denying anyone a bed and have made all facilities available to deal with such cases.”

He further challenged the media to prove the fact that these deaths have been from chikungunya.

Also Read: Chikungunya Bites Delhi: 5 Must-Know Facts About This Outbreak

Death Toll Reaches Six

An 80-year-old man reportedly died due to chikungunya in Delhi on Wednesday.

A 75-year-old Mathura resident, Prakash Kalra, was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram hospital on Monday with chikungunya. He died on Tuesday night due to kidney failure.

The first fatality was of a 65-year-old man from chikungunya in the state on Monday. Ramendra Pandey succumbed to the disease around 4 am at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the capital.

Two more people, who were also admitted in Sir Ganga Ram, also died from the disease on Monday. Uday Shanker of Dwarka and Ashok Chauhan from Aligarh were both admitted to the hospital on 11 September.

While chikungunya is not a life-threatening disease in general, doctors reported that in rare cases, it can lead to complications that prove fatal, especially in children and old people.

Also Read: Alarming Rise in Chikungunya Cases: Here are the DOs and DON’Ts

Blame-Game Begins

As the death toll rose, a blame-game between Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the BJP government followed. Both the Congress and the BJP attacked the Kejriwal government for not taking adequate steps.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is being blamed for the worsening situation. (Photo: PTI)

“We saw no fumigation this time in the city. If the government doesn’t fulfil responsibility how will it work”, said former Delhi CM and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit.

She added:

It is the government’s responsibility to take preemptive steps when this season arrives, (and) before people get sick.

Sheila Dikshit has blamed the Kejriwal-led government for the rising cases. (Photo: PTI)

The BJP questioned the absence of Kejriwal and some of his government’s top ministers.

While Kejriwal is away for throat surgery in Bengaluru, Health Minister Satyendar Jain is on a visit to Goa for the party’s preparations for next year’s Assembly elections.

“Arvind Kejriwal, who is the Chief Minister, refuses to answer pertinent questions regarding the health of the national capital,” said BJP leader Sambit Patra.

Kejriwal, on the other hand, washed his hands off any responsibility by pointing out that Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung is not in the capital either.

Compounding the problem in the city is the fact that while the state has an AAP government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is BJP-dominated.

Kapil Mishra, an AAP Minister raked up the issue.

“The MCD is responsible for fogging to keep mosquitoes away,” said Mr Mishra, adding that he has been getting constant updates on the Delhi health situation.

If you are in the Capital, chances are you know someone who is infected with this crippling disease, the symptoms of which are pretty similar to dengue. Picture used for representational purposes. (Photo: iStock)

Sharp Rise in Chikungunya Cases

A suspected chikungunya death was also reported at the AIIMS, but the hospital has not confirmed it yet.

“We are yet to confirm if the death was due to chikungunya. We are trying to do so, but till then it is a suspected case,” AIIMS spokesperson Amit Gupta said.

Chikungunya cases in Delhi have sharply risen to over 1,000 this season, marking a jump of nearly 90 percent from its count last week.

While doctors assert that chikungunya is not a life-threatening disease, some rare cases could prove fatal, especially in children and old people.

According to a municipal report released on Tuesday, at least 1,057 cases of this vector-borne disease have been recorded till 10 September. However, hospitals in the city altogether are reporting a much higher number.

Lalit Dar of Department of Microbiology at AIIMS said, “At our laboratories, 1,360 chikungunya blood test samples have tested positive till yesterday. Cases are rising and more and more people are getting affected.”