City Sees Monsoon Spike In Viral & Bacterial Infections | Delhi News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The city has seen a surge in viral and bacterial infections recently, with medical experts pointing out that weather conditions during the monsoon create an environment conducive to the growth and transmission of such diseases.
While authorities have not released official data, doctors from various private hospitals noted a significant uptick in the number of people seeking medical attention, stressing they must take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their family members.

Physicians have encountered a range of illnesses at outpatient departments, including dengue, influenza, viral hepatitis, chikungunya and respiratory issues. Moreover, cases of bacterial infections such as typhoid and a few instances of leptospirosis which is caused by the Leptospira bacteria, transmitted through water contaminated with the urine of infected animals, have been reported. Covid cases also continue to be diagnosed.
Dr Rommel Tickoo, director of internal medicine at Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket, said currently, 70% of patients with fever visiting the OPD are being diagnosed with either dengue or flu. Sporadic cases of Covid are also being reported, particularly among those who have recently travelled abroad.
Dr Tickoo emphasised the importance of timely testing for typhoid and dengue, as complications can arise if these are not diagnosed early. He advised dengue patients to take necessary precautions and ensure adequate water intake to avoid complications, stressing that the diseases can become life-threatening if not detected and treated promptly.
Dr Neeraj Nischal, a professor in the department of medicine at AIIMS, said, “Serious patients from nearby states are usually referred to hospitals with cases of typhoid, dengue, malaria and leptospirosis, which are commonly reported during this time of the year.” He said leptospirosis cases often increase during the monsoon, especially in flood-prone areas, due to exposure to rodent urine-contaminated water, which leads to the bacterial infection.
Dr Neha Rastogi Panda from Fortis Memorial Research Institute, said “Leptospirosis symptoms are mostly mild and include fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, kidney and liver dysfunction, and jaundice. If left untreated, it can progress to severe conditions such as pneumonia, brain fever (meningitis) and bone marrow suppression. In critical cases, it can lead to multi-organ failure, making early intervention crucial.” She noted a 30-45% rise in mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue and chikungunya, due to the rise in mosquito breeding sites during heavy rains.
According to Dr Suranjit Chatterjee from Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, respiratory infections also increase due to higher humidity and mild growth. Urban areas with poor drainage systems often experience higher incidences of monsoon-related illnesses such as dengue, gastroenteritis and typhoid fever, he said.
Dr Gaurav Jain from Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Dharamshila, said, “Dengue accounts for 35% of monsoon-related diseases, followed by malaria at 20%, chikungunya at 5-8%, viral gastroenteritis at over 35%, and respiratory infections at 10%.”