Mumbai Sees Spike in Dengue Cases among children; doctors raise alarm
Dengue Spike in Mumbai
Mumbai: The city is witnessing a worrying surge in dengue cases among children, with several severe infections reported over the past month. A recent tragic incident involved a 7-year-old boy from Uran who was admitted to J J Hospital on August 1 with severe dengue and passed away on August 4.
Medical experts caution that multiple dengue infections in children can be fatal. Speaking to TOI, a doctor from the hospital said, "We are seeing children with dengue almost every day. Most come early, but there are patients who arrive in a critically ill condition with low chances of survival.”
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The doctor also mentioned a similar tragic death reported in mid-July at Holy Family Hospital, involving a 5-year-old child. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, Mumbai recorded about 708 dengue cases in July, a staggering rise compared to only 105 cases in June.
Another paediatrician from a public hospital said that typical manifestations of dengue in children include fever, rash, joint pain, and sometimes respiratory issues, and that these symptoms can overlap with those of other viral infections.
The doctor added that parents need to take their child to a doctor at the first sign of fever, and even if the fever subsides, other complications, such as drowsiness or difficulty breathing, may develop, which can indicate the onset of dengue shock.
Dr. Deepak Ugra, a paediatrician at Lilavati Hospital, noted that most affected children are experiencing dengue for the first time, but warned that a second infection dramatically increases the risk of complications. He added that effective fluid management, whether at home or in the hospital, is key to preventing severe dengue.
