A doctor checks a dengue patient in The Hindu Rao hospital in New Delhi. (AFP photo)
As Delhi battles the worst outbreak of dengue in five years, the government has asked people not to panic and has emphasised that 99.79 per cent people with dengue have completely recovered. Doctors and experts answered some frequently asked questions:
NDTV: Is it unusual that this year, type 2 and type 4 of the dengue virus are more common?
Dr Lalit Dar, Virologist, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS: There are four serotypes of dengue 1, 2,3,4 and all are present in Delhi.
Every three or four years, one type starts to dominate, it is not unusual...We have found dengue 4 this year, it is low, but it is there and this could be a reason for the increase (in number of cases).
NDTV: Is there a fifth new strain of the dengue virus that is tormenting Delhi?
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Pediatrician, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): No new strain of the dengue virus has been seen.
NDTV: Does the weather have anything to do with this outbreak of dengue?
Dr MC Misra, Surgeon, Director, AIIMS: In the summer months with the monsoon setting in we anticipate dengue...weather, temperature, humidity and mosquito breeding are all linked.
NDTV: So has the outbreak peaked?
Dr Soumya Swaminathan: The dengue epidemic may have peaked. It possibly peaked earlier this year as rains were scarce in Delhi.
NDTV: The Indian Medical Association says if warning signals are known to the public, all deaths from dengue can be avoided...
Dr MC Misra: Most patients recover from dengue, 99.99 percent will recover from dengue.
NDTV: So what are the best ways of avoiding getting infected by dengue in the first place?
Dr Soumya Swaminathan: Avoid collection of water; wear full sleeved clothes.