Dengue Cases in Gandhinagar: A Closer Look at the Situation 

Recent media headlines such as ‘Sting of Dengue at Alarming Levels in Gandhinagar’ and ‘Dengue Cases Triple in State’ have brought attention to the dengue outbreak in Gandhinagar. However, some medical professionals in the city believe that these reports might be slightly exaggerating the situation, potentially leading to unnecessary panic among the public.

Dr Neeti Bhimani, a respected Physician and Critical Care Specialist working at a prominent private hospital in the city, asserts that while dengue cases are indeed on the rise, the situation is far from being categorized as an ‘epidemic.’ Dr. Bhimani commends the media for spreading awareness, but she also acknowledges that there’s a risk of creating undue fear, causing people to request dengue blood tests even for mild fevers. She points out that with the onset of the monsoon season, a general increase in illnesses is common, including coughs, colds, influenza, and various types of fevers. It’s important to note that not all fevers are indicative of dengue. Dr. Bhimani emphasizes that while several infections can occur during the rainy season, only a portion of these cases are actually dengue fever.

The Role of Immune System in Severity. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Handbook for Clinical Management of Dengue highlights that numerous diseases, both infectious and non-infectious, share similarities with dengue and severe dengue. Conditions presenting with symptoms resembling influenza-like syndromes—such as influenza itself, measles, chikungunya, infectious mononucleosis, and HIV seroconversion illness—can mimic the febrile phase of dengue.

Dr. Bhimani explains that dengue exhibits a range of clinical manifestations, some severe and others not. The disease is transmitted through the bite of the Aedes mosquito and typically takes three to 14 days for symptoms to manifest. These symptoms can range from mild fever to incapacitating high fever, accompanied by severe headache, eye pain, muscle and joint pain, and a rash. The majority of cases do not necessitate hospitalization. The more serious dengue symptoms encompass bleeding and shock, which may occur in cases where the diagnosis is delayed, the patient’s immune system is compromised, or pre-existing conditions such as alcoholism or diabetes are present.

According to the WHO Handbook, “Persistent vomiting and severe abdominal pain are early indicators of plasma leakage and worsen as the patient progresses to the shock state. Although the patient becomes increasingly lethargic, mental alertness is usually retained. These symptoms can persist into the shock stage.”

While severe dengue can indeed be fatal, Dr. Bhimani reassures that the mortality rate for dengue has dropped to approximately 1%, a significant improvement from the 5% rate recorded in 1999.

Unveiling the True Dengue Scenario in Gandhinagar. Regarding the reported number of dengue cases in Gandhinagar, the actual figure might be lower than what is being indicated. This discrepancy arises because not all private hospitals within the city submit reports to the municipal corporation.
A Proactive Approach to Prevention. The Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation has been receiving dengue case reports from various hospitals, including patient names and areas of residence. Since June 1st, the GMC has conducted surveys at over 2,000 locations and discovered that many of these spots serve as breeding grounds for the dengue-causing mosquitoes. This underscores the importance of proactive measures to prevent the further spread of dengue within the city.

Namah Healthcare, situated in Gandhinagar, stands out as a specialized for dengue treatment clinic in Gandhinagar region. At the helm is Dr. Neeti Bhimani, a renowned Physician and Critical Care Specialist. With expertise in managing dengue cases, Dr. Bhimani leads the charge in providing comprehensive care at Namah Hospital. Amid rising concerns, Namah Healthcare’s focused approach and Dr. Bhimani’s guidance offer reassurance to patients seeking effective dengue treatment in Gandhinagar.