National Institute of Virology (NIV) scientists have reported 50 per cent positivity among the approximately 100 samples from the city for dengue viral fever.
Dengue virus exists in four serotypes and the predominant one that is circulating according to NIV is Dengue-2 serotype.
“Annually, we usually receive 4,000-5,000 samples to test for dengue and chikungunya from Pune, Goa, Telangana, UP and Bihar.
The expert pointed out that a positive NS1 test indicates a dengue virus infection.
Dr Gadia also said a check on the platelet count in dengue fever is important.
National Institute of Virology (NIV) scientists have reported 50 per cent positivity among the approximately 100 samples from the city for dengue viral fever.
Dengue virus exists in four serotypes and the predominant one that is circulating according to NIV is Dengue-2 serotype.
“Annually, we usually receive 4,000-5,000 samples to test for dengue and chikungunya from Pune, Goa, Telangana, UP and Bihar. In June we received around 100 samples for testing and at least 50 per cent are positive for dengue viral fever,” Dr Anuradha Tripathy, group leader of the dengue and chikungunya department, NIV said.
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According to Pune Municipal Corporation’s health department, there have been 487 suspected dengue cases this year, of which 157 were reported in June. Ten have been confirmed positive, according to data. Health officials said they have issued notices to 788 societies, under-construction sites and others where mosquito breeding sites have been identified. An administrative fee of Rs 18 5 lakh has been levied so far.
Doctors at private clinics and hospitals too have reported a rise in suspected Zika virus-like illness, dengue and chikungunya cases. The overlap of symptoms can be challenging and doctors are now able to distinguish cases based on clinical examinations and tests.
Dr Rajesh Gadia, consulting physician at KEM hospital, said they recently tested a patient suspected of having zika-like symptoms. . “The woman had a fever and rash. However her sample was sent on the eighth day, by which time she had tested negative for the zika virus infection,” he said.
The expert pointed out that a positive NS1 test indicates a dengue virus infection. Combined with the IgM antibody test usually provides a diagnostic result during the first week of illness. Dr Gadia also said a check on the platelet count in dengue fever is important.
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Diagnostic tests are also available for a chikungunya infection that is characterised by the onset of high fever and severe joint pain (that can last for a few months). If tests rule out dengue and chikungunya, then serum samples of Zika-like infection can also be sent to public laboratories for further tests.
Dr Amit Dravid, infectious diseases consultant at Noble hospital said that the tropical fever panel test is also used to diagnose diseases like dengue, chikungunya, malaria and so on. “We have seen a rise in dengue and chikungunya infections and close to 10-15 have been reported in one week,” Dr Dravid said. However, these tests are expensive and are mostly in the Rs 5,000-7,000 range.
PMC health department officials have also appealed that it was critical to reduce mosquito breeding sites by emptying and cleaning containers that contain water on a weekly basis, dispose of waste and support the local mosquito control programme.
