Dengue showing signs of abatement in Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) Cool climes ushered in by a fresh Western disturbance and rising pollution in the post-Diwali period seems to have led to abatement in the Dengue menace in Delhi.

During the past 24 hours, ending at 1000 hrs this morning, 53 fresh cases were reported in the capital compared to 56 reported in the same period yesterday. On Saturday morning, 92 cases were reported in Delhi.

The total number of dengue patients in Delhi now stands at 2,104, of which 1,337 are from the capital alone, MCD officials said.

Doctors say the outbreak has started to ''decline'' and it would take about seven to ten days for the viral disease to fully subside.

There was no increase in number of deaths caused by dengue from the figure of 41 recorded yesterday. In fact, no death from dengue has been reported in the last two days.

In All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), which faced the dengue deluge, 41 more dengue patients were admitted in the past 24 hours till 1000 hrs this morning.

The special dengue ward has 189 patients under treatment, AIIMS Medical Superintendent Dr D K Sharma said.

He said at present 40 suspected dengue patients are under observation in the institute today.

''The numbers are on the decline,'' he pointed out.

''Gradually the viral disease will decline. One or two odd cases will still happen but it will not be an outbreak then. The weather is not conducive for the aedes mosquitoes to breed,'' he added.

No deaths were reported from the hospital in the past 24 hours, Dr Sharma said.

More than 22,000 patients have been screened at AIIMS emergency OPD since October 3, doctors said.

In Delhi, Central Zone, Shahdara (N) and Najafgarh are the worst hit by dengue.

UNI AR KD DB1854