All 4 dengue strains in circulationin state, say doctors as cases rise

Patna: Even as dengue cases are increasing with each passing day, all four strains of the virus have been found in Bihar in almost equal numbers so far. Dengue has four distinct serotypes - DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4 - with DENV-2 being the most severe one.

Experts said all the four strains of the virus have the same line of treatment and similar symptoms. However, in the case of DENV-2 variant, there is immense pain as well as complications like shock syndrome and bleeding. In Bihar, a serology test is done at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) here to know the strain.

According to an IGIMS doctor, though all the four strains are found among patients at the hospital, DENV-3 is slightly dominant among other variants. "We will have to test more samples to establish as to which strain is dominant," the doctor said.

Serology test was done at All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Patna. Hospital's director Dr Gopal Krushna said they have so far tested 12 samples, out of which DENV-2 strain was found in seven. "The treatment protocol is same for all the variants," he said, adding the serology test has been stopped at the hospital for the time being.

Former superintendent of Patna Medical College Hospital, Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, said all the strains have the same symptoms. "In DENV-2, one experiences more pain. It is yet to be ascertained as to which strain spreads faster," he added.

Meanwhile, 371 new dengue cases were registered in the state on Friday. With this, the state's dengue tally so far this year has increased to 3,833. Altogether 70 new cases were registered in Patna, followed by Bhagalpur (45), Vaishali (27), Begusarai (25), Munger (18) and East Champaran (18).

On Friday, 272 dengue patients were undergoing treatment at different government hospitals in the state with Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Bhagalpur, alone accounting for 126 active patients.

It was followed by 28 patients at Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences in Pawapuri, 24 at Patna Medical College Hospital and 18 at IGIMS.