More dengue fever cases reported in India
Published: Oct. 17, 2006 at 10:11 AM
NEW DELHI, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Dengue fever in India has now infected more than 5,100 people, killing more than 100 in recent weeks and causing chaos in the nation's health system.
The rapid spread of what's known as "bonecrushers' disease" is also producing financial disarray in a nation of 1.1 billion that also has the world's largest number of HIV cases and is struggling with the re-emergence of polio, The Financial Times reported.
The disease is spread by mosquitoes, with humans developing symptoms within a week after being bitten. Dengue hemorrhagic fever, a more severe form of the disease, has a 5 percent mortality rate, the World Health Organization says.
Medical officials told The Financial Times this year's dengue fever toll could exceed that of 1996, when the virus claimed more than 423 lives and infected more than 10,000 people.
The rapid spread of what's known as "bonecrushers' disease" is also producing financial disarray in a nation of 1.1 billion that also has the world's largest number of HIV cases and is struggling with the re-emergence of polio, The Financial Times reported.
The disease is spread by mosquitoes, with humans developing symptoms within a week after being bitten. Dengue hemorrhagic fever, a more severe form of the disease, has a 5 percent mortality rate, the World Health Organization says.
Medical officials told The Financial Times this year's dengue fever toll could exceed that of 1996, when the virus claimed more than 423 lives and infected more than 10,000 people.
© 2006 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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