UP: Dengue like symptoms patients show negative pathology reports at BRD Medical College

Gorakhpur: The doctors at Baba Raghav Das Medical College (BRD Medical College) in Gorakhpur are reportedly in a conundrum after being unable to ascertain the exact cause behind the negative pathology reports despite the patients showing symptoms similar to dengue fever. 

Gorakhpur district, which is the home turf of UP's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has been witnessing a rise in the number of patients showing symptoms similar to dengue. However, their pathology reports are coming out to be negative. 

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Dr Amresh Singh, head of the microbiology department at BRD Medical College, said that they are now dealing with suspected dengue cases as non dengue viral syndrome. Similar to dengue symptoms, the total leukocyte count in such patients is visibly less than normal but the dengue test report is coming out to be negative, which has become a source of concern. 

The number of patients, with fever and joint pain who are visiting the OPD of BRD Medical College and district hospital, and private hospitals are increasing. On October 30 and 31, around 200 patients with fever came to the OPD out of whom 20% showed positive symptoms of dengue. 

Out of the 180 pathology tests conducted at the microbiology department of BRD Medical College, only 80 positive cases of dengue were reported on October 30 and 31, reports the Hindustan Times.

BRD Medical College is a state-run medical college and hospital, which is the only available tertiary care facility in the region. Patients from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and even Nepal go there for treatment, and the hospital serves an overwhelming population of around 5 crores. 

The district hospital OPD is also witnessing a similar situation. Three or four patients are getting admitted there on a daily basis due to a drop in their platelet count below 25,000, said Dr Rajesh Kumar, the physician at the district hospital. Dr Ashutosh Dubey, CMO added that the district hospital has identified 127 cases of dengue. 

Dr Dubey urged people to take up protective measures, adding that they are expecting the cases to decline by next week. At least one case of viral fever with symptoms of dengue has been reported from each house in various places of the city like Nezampur, Basantpur, Ilahi Bagh, Dashari Bagh and Geeta Press Road. 

Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh government had cancelled the leaves of all doctors and paramedical staff due to the rising dengue cases in the state, which was reported by the Medical Dialogues team. 

Also Read: UP: Govt cancels all doctor's leave as dengue cases spike