Chikungunya Death Toll Mounts in Delhi

At least 14 people in Delhi have died of Dengue, while 12 others have died of Chikungunya.

India has reported over 40,000 cases of Dengue and Chikungunya till August this year. (Photo: IANS)

As Delhi faces a major vector outbreak, wailing children, worried parents and understaffed medical practitioners dot the scenes across several government hospitals in the National capital.

In Delhi alone, the death toll for dengue stands at 14, followed closely by its bone-breaking cousin, Chikungunya. At least 1,000 people in the region have tested positive for Chikungunya, while more than 1,500 are said to reeling under dengue fever.

The situation in other parts of the country remains grim as well. While West Bengal has reported 5,129 dengue cases and 22 deaths, the disease has affected 5,183 people and claimed nine lives in Odisha.

Amid a countrywide surge in vector-borne diseases, Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Wednesday sought to take stock of the situation in dengue-hit states. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Nadda called on the public to spread greater awareness on the matter.

The health minister also emphasised on steps taken by his government to curb the rising menace of Dengue and Chikungunya. But surging figures paint a completely different picture, a trend that the Indian health-policy analysts have failed to understand, and thereby tackle.

At the national Level, more than 12,255 cases of Chikungunya and 27,879 cases of Dengue have been reported. When summed up, the combined assault of Dengue and Chikungunya stands at a staggering 40,000.

Video Editor: Sashant Kumar