Delhi-NCR reports first dengue death of season

Delhi-NCR reported its first dengue death of the season as Ashish Bhati (48), Assistant General Manager in the Institutional Department of the Noida Authority, died at Apollo Hospital, Delhi, on Tuesday morning.

Bhati, son of former state minister and senior social worker Harishchandra Bhati, had been suffering from dengue for several days. He was initially admitted to Kailash Hospital in Noida before being referred to Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar, where his condition worsened.

“Ashish Bhati was referred to Apollo from Kailash Hospital in a critical condition. He was on a ventilator and had been diagnosed with dengue, which led to multiple organ failure, resulting in his death after a couple of days,” said an official from Apollo Hospital.

However, whether the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will officially record it as the first dengue death of the season remains uncertain.

According to MCD sources, a case is only categorised as a dengue death once the hospital submits written confirmation stating dengue as the primary cause. The process, officials said, “may take some time.”

Repeated attempts to contact the MCD’s Public Health Department for clarification went unanswered till the time of filing this report.

As per official data, Delhi reported 6,391 dengue cases and 11 deaths in 2024, while 9,266 cases and 19 deaths were recorded in 2023. The city saw 4,469 cases and 9 deaths in 2022, and 9,613 cases and 23 deaths in 2021.

The latest case comes amid rising concern over vector-borne infections this season, with the MCD reporting a steady uptick in dengue, malaria and chikungunya cases across the Capital.