Dikshit says Dengue under control

As the number of people affected by the mosquito bourne Dengue Fever rises on a daily basis, a government official in Delhi is saying the situation is under control and the public do not need to panic.

Delhi's Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit says they are equipped to deal with the outbreak and have enough resources such as blood and platelets to meet the demand.

Following a visit to a hospital in Delhi by government health officials only a small number of sufferers will reportedly need blood transfusions and there was enough available to meet any demand.

The rise in awareness on the part of the public is apparently helping to curb mosquito breeding.

At the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) a large number of new patients are being admitted each day, and AIIMS, which had been taking the bulk of the victims, have now restricted their intake and only those needing emergency medical attention treated.

In contrast to the minister's statement, a source at AIIMS says the institute is facing a severe manpower and resource crisis as dengue patients are 'pouring in from all over the country' and the institute lacks the infrastructure to deal with the situation.

Some doctors are demanding that the dengue outbreak should be declared an epidemic in order to ensure more resources are received.

Officials sources say that of the 886 patients admitted with dengue in the capital to date, 538 were from Delhi; the rest were from other States.

Eleven army personnel are also reported to be suffering from the deadly brain fever and the total number of lives claimed by the brain fever in Delhi is now 21.

Many hospitals say they are running short of blood, and an urgent appeal has been launched by the state government for blood donations in all government hospitals and blood banks.

According to officials, 30 hospitals will provide free tests and checkup facilities for dengue patients.

To date nationwide 49 people have died of dengue and 3,331 cases have been reported.