Dengue dread: Doctor's death raises concern over stagnant water in JJ premises

Apeksha Sontakke (30), a doctor living at Trimurthi building inside the campus of the state government-run JJ Hospital in Byculla, died early on Wednesday morning, possibly due to dengue. Following her death, doctors have raised concerns about the stagnant water inside the premises.

A doctor living in the quarters inside the hospital premises, on the condition of anonymity, said, "There is stagnant water throughout the campus. These are the conditions most doctors, staffers and thousands of patients visiting the campus have been subjected to." The doctor further said that fogging activities were not being conducted in the premises regularly.

Hospital dean Dr TP Lahane said, "The NS1 sample tested positive but IGM was negative. The sample has been sent to the National Virology Institute in Pune for further testing." In 2010 Dr Rajan Palav, ENT lecturer at the hospital and a resident of the same building, had succumbed to dengue.

When queried about the precautionary measures that Mumbai residents should take to protect themselves against dengue, he said, "Water should not be allowed to stagnate for more than seven days. Also, residents must focus on keeping hydrated. Drink plenty of water, and if you notice symptoms of dengue, see a doctor immediately."

Meanwhile, dengue cases in the city are on a steady rise. In the first fortnight of September alone, 160 people tested positive for dengue, according to the latest figures released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Meanwhile, Pune is grappling with the fast spread of chikungunya, with the city claiming 90% of all the cases in Maharashtra.

Quick facts: Between January and August this year, BMC prosecuted 927 housing societies and collected Rs26,92,000 in fine from housing societies

September data

Number of patients with fever at civic hospitals: 6,192
Confirmed dengue cases: 160
Confirmed leptospirosis cases: 17

Source: BMCs health department

Dengue details

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of female aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms include sudden, high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, fatigue,
nausea and vomiting. To prevent the outbreak of the disease:
1. Ensure there is no water stagnation
2. Dispose waste with care
3. Wear full-sleeved clothes
4. Use mosquito repellents

To manage the disease:

1. Take bed rest and plenty of oral fluids
2. See a doctor in case of persistent vomiting
3. Monitor blood platelets
4. Blood transfusion in severe cases