Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
7-year-old Bhiwandi boy dies of suspected dengue
BHIWANDI: A seven-year-old boy died of suspected dengue in Thane on Thursday.
Yuvam Shah lived with his family at Anjurphata in Bhiwandi.
Dr Rimi Tawade, general practitioner and Yuvam’s neighbour, said, “On Wednesday morning, the family got him for a check-up. He had cold and fever but his fever did not subside despite medications.”
“The next day, pediatricians were not available as it was Diwali. Local hospitals did not have adequate facilities. He was taken to Jupiter Hospital in Thane. On the way, he started bleeding and his condition deteriorated. He passed away on Thursday evening,” said Tawade.
Yuvam’s elder brother was also admitted to Saifee Hospital afewdaysagoafterhetestedpositive for dengue.
Residents and neighbours said the civic body did not pay heed to complaints. No preventive measures had been taken to curb the disease.
On Friday, civic officials carried out fumigation and cleanliness drive in the area.
“Wehavetoverifythereports. It will take a few days to confirm whether it was a dengue death. Although there has been a spike indenguecasesinOctoberdueto the untimely rainfall and bad weather, we have not recorded any dengue deaths yet,” said Pravin Ashtikar, commissioner,
BhiwandiNizampurCityMunicipal Corporation (BNCMC).
This is the sixth case of suspected dengue deaths in Bhiwandi.
Dinesh Jain, a neighbour of Yuvam, said, “There have been 12 dengue cases in the area. We approached the civic body to complain but they cited election code of conduct and Diwali for not taking measures. There is an open pond, tank and the water from the industrial zone collects here. The stagnant water is a breeding spot for mosquitoes.”