Rajasthan grapples with dengue and malaria spike amid monsoon

Due to the ongoing rainfall in Rajasthan for several days, there has been a significant increase in cases of dengue and malaria. According to the Health Department, Rajasthan is witnessing over 125 new dengue cases daily. In Jaipur alone, there are approximately 11 cases of dengue and malaria reported in the Rajana area. The situation has become so severe that people from neighbouring districts are coming to Jaipur for treatment. Due to the influx of external patients, the number of patients in Jaipur hospitals is continuously increasing, with 880 cases reported so far.
Observing the rising number of patients, private hospitals have been refusing admissions, citing a lack of beds or that the patients’ conditions are not severe enough. The increasing number of patients has led to a significant rise in the demand for platelets in blood banks. According to a report from the Medical Health Department, while there were a total of 2,830 dengue cases in the state until September 1st, the number has now exceeded 4,674 cases as of September 15th. Reports indicate that the highest number of cases are in Jaipur. So far, six deaths in the state have been attributed to dengue.
According to the Health Directorate’s report, the highest number of dengue and malaria cases have been reported in Kota, Jhalawar, Bikaner, Baran, Tonk, Sikar, Pratapgarh, Pali, Nagaur, Hanumangarh, Dungarpur, Bundi, Barmer, Ajmer, and Alwar districts. In the past 15 days, dengue cases have doubled in these areas. Although dengue cases in Jaipur are relatively low, hospitals are receiving more referred patients from outside. Currently, about 20% of patients in the General Medicine ward are suffering from dengue.