Dengue kills 83 in India

10 October 2003, 18:00 PM

Reuters, Mumbai

India's best monsoon in a decade has triggered a wave of dengue fever that has killed at least 83 people across the country and infected more than 5,100 in one of the worst outbreaks in years.

"We fear the number of people infected could be three times more," a health ministry official told Reuters yesterday.

The mosquito-borne disease, which causes high fever and haemorrhaging, usually peaks during the annual monsoon, normally infecting about 1,000 people a year.

Southern Kerala state has been the worst hit, with 63 deaths. Several people have also died in the Indian capital, New Delhi.

"We are distressed and worried for our children," said doctor Kiran Coelho, whose 23-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son were admitted to a hospital in Mumbai on Monday.

"There is no cure for the disease. Only supportive treatment is given."