One more dies of dengue in Varanasi, toll goes up to seven

VARANASI: Amid government officials issuing contradictory figures about dengue cases, the death of 44-year-old Abhay Singh of Bhadohi district at the special dengue ward of SSL hospital of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on Saturday has pushed up the number of deaths related to the disease to seven.
Even more alarming are the figures of dengue positive cases. In the current calendar year 432, including 270 such cases have been reported to chief medical officer by government hospitals and 162 by SSL Hospital till Saturday.These figures are several times higher than dengue cases recorded in 2016 and 2017.
CMO Dr V B Singh has ordered cancellation of weekly and festival holidays of health department employees, while all hospitals have been kept on an extra alert. District malaria officer at CMO office, Dr Sharat Chandra Pandey, said, "In 2016, a total of 171 dengue cases including three deaths had come to light while 107 cases were reported in 2017. These figures of past two years included number of patients admitted and treated at SSL hospital apart from other government hospitals. However, in current year, SSL hospital forwarded reports of only 24 dengue cases."
Medical superintendent of SSL hospital Dr Anand Srivastava said, "Since March 23 till date 162 patients were sent to dengue ward of this hospital and about 67 are still admitted.."
Regarding difference in figures reported at CMO office and those available with medical superintendent office of SSL hospital, Pandey said, "BHU's hospital is not sharing complete figures of dengue being reported there. Moreover, it is also not confirmed whether all patients are being treated there following Elisa test."