68 dengue cases, Delhi total 4,747

NEW DELHI - Delhi reported 68 new cases of dengue Wednesday, taking the number of people infected with the vector-borne disease to 4,747.

The disease has claimed eight lives in the capital this year. The worst hit area has been north Delhi.

According to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, 1,153 dengue cases and three deaths were reported in 2009, 1,312 cases and two deaths in 2008, 548 cases and one death in 2007, and 3,366 cases and 36 deaths in 2006.

Dengue symptoms include high fever for four-five days, usually accompanied by severe headache, body pain, muscle and joint pain and rashes. After the fever subsides, the blood platelet count starts dipping.