A week after Yash Chopra’s death, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has confirmed that the filmmaker died because of dengue fever

Dengue was the cause of filmmaker’s death: BMC

Confirmation takes this year’s dengue toll to 4

A week after Yash Chopra’s death, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has confirmed that the filmmaker died because of dengue fever and its complications. Chopra’s death brings the toll of dengue deaths to four this year.
MAHENDRA PARIKH/HT (Above) BMC health officials had found mosquitoes breeding in the fountain at Yash Raj studios on October 23. Chopra, 80, died last Sunday after developing complications of bacterial pneumonia and dengue that led to multi-organ failure. Civic officials went through Chopra’s medical records before confirming the dengue death.
“Chopra developed secondary infections after dengue, which soon developed into sepsis. He had fever, headache, and breathlessness for three days before being admitted to the hospital. He was taking treatment, but he didn’t respond well to it. He died during a very short span of illness, which can be only attributed to his old age,” said a state health official, on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.
Chopra had no history of diabetes or hypertension.

October has seen the maximum number of dengue cases this year. Till Monday, the number of dengue cases recorded this month was 250, compared to 189 last month.
“This year, the condition of a lot of patients has been deteriorating within one or two days. Any patient with fever cannot be ignored even for a day. We are getting even younger patients with serious complications such as drop in platelet count,” said Dr Nivedita Moulick, head of medicine, Sion Hospital.
In many cases, patients are found to be suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome or hepatitis
“Two of my patients are on ventilator currently. This year, we are seeing complications develop within three to five days of fever, even in young patients. The only treatment for dengue is to hydrate them and monitor their platelet level,” said Dr Shahid Barmare, consultant physician, Kohinoor Hospital, Kurla.
Dr Barmare said that senior citizens or people who have a compromised immune system such as diabetics, people suffering from renal failure, or any other disease should visit the doctor soon in case of fever, as their condition can deteriorate faster.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Use mosquito nets and mosquito repellents
Cover water storage tanks to prevent breeding of mosquitoes
Clear odd articles, junk and scrap lying in your compound or on the terrace

Ensure that there are proper outlets in your compound to avoid water stagnation
Observe ‘dry day’ once a week by draining water from decorative fountains, both indoor and outdoor drums and wiping them once a week to break the breeding cycle of mosquitoes
Empty water in the dishes kept under flowerpots at least once a week.