Dengue cases in Ahmedabad have increased 60% this year

Ahmedabad hospitals have recorded a steep rise in the number of dengue patients in the last ten months. Data available with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC)'s health department suggests that this is the case when compared to previous year's records.

This year, the city's hospitals have registered 542 positive dengue cases from January to October, which in 2009 during the same period was 340. In 2009, a total 456 cases of dengue were registered (from January to December).

This year, September and October are being considered as dengue season as the period saw a steep rise of 152 and 140 positive cases respectively against 59 and 94 cases in 2009.

Moreover, the chief medical officer at the AMC, SP Kulkarni said the number of samples tested has also doubled in the past year. Last year, 1200 to 1300 samples were tested. This year,  in ten months time, around 2500 samples were tested for confirmation of dengue cases.

The mosquito breeding survey for July- 2010 conducted by the AMC had suggested three times increase in the number of Aedes mosquitoes per room as compared to July 2009. In July 2009, there were around 0.35 Aedes mosquitoes in one room which increased to 0.98 per room in July 2010, suggests AMC records.

The mosquito causing malaria has reduced from 0.54 mosquitoes per room in 2009 to 0.38 mosquito per room in 2010.  

"Rise in number of cases can be attributed to extended rainy season and increase in number of rainy days in the city. The months of September and October are the transmission period for dengue," said Kulkarni. He insisted that denizens should use repellant during the day to keep mosquitoes away as Aedes mosquitoes bite during day. He also said it is not advisable to keep water stagnant in buckets, ACs, water coolers and utensils.