203 confirmed, 534 suspected dengue cases
The dreaded dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease occurring in tropical and subtropical areas, is spreading its tentacles fast as 203 confirmed and 534 suspected cases of this vector-borne disease have been reported in the district this season so far, the official figures have revealed.
While the cases of malaria, a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans, are also on the rise, another 28 persons have so far tested positive for H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu, here.
Another viral disease chikungunya, which is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, has also made a comeback with one positive case reported in Ludhiana so far, the Health Department has confirmed.
However, no death due to dengue, swine flu or any other disease has yet been confirmed in the district.
This year’s dengue figures were almost one-third of the 660 confirmed dengue cases reported here during the corresponding period last year.
Besides, eight persons had died due to dengue in the district last year.
Though 21 confirmed cases of malaria this year so far were more than 18 malaria patients reported during the corresponding period last year, the single case of chikungunya was less than two such cases detected in the district last year.
Taking cognisance of the situation, Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal has directed district officials of all departments concerned — Health, Public Health, and Municipal Corporation — to take effective steps to check the further spread of these vector-borne diseases in the state’s biggest and largest district, in terms of area and population.
Civil Surgeon Pardeep Kumar Mohindra told The Tribune on Saturday that a massive test, trace, and treat campaign was being undertaken by the Health Department to check the spread of dengue and malaria cases in the district.
He said 16 fresh cases of dengue were confirmed in the district on Saturday, which took the tally to 203, including 120 from urban and 83 from rural areas.
Besides, 534 suspected dengue cases, including 369 from urban and 164 from rural areas, have been reported till date.
Dr Mohindra said as many as 1,036 samples had so far been tested for dengue while 29,21,510 houses and 53,12,417 containers had been inspected to check the dengue mosquito larvae.
Following the detection of dengue larvae in 3,779 houses and 4,227 containers, as many as 1,501 challans had been issued against the violators.
Besides, 2,93,962 peripheral smears for malaria parasite tests had been done at government facilities till September 30.
He said adequate arrangements had been made at all government institutions to test and treat the dengue, malaria, swine flu, chikungunya and other viral patients with a special ward reserved for dengue patients at the Civil Hospital here.
Urban-rural divide
The urban areas were much more prone to dengue as compared to rural areas in the district. Of the total 203 confirmed patients of dengue reported till Saturday, 120 were from urban areas while villages have reported 83 dengue cases. As many as 534 suspected dengue patients included 369 from urban and 164 from rural areas.
All-out efforts on: DC
“I have reviewed the situation arising out of dengue, malaria and other vector-borne diseases in the district and have directed the departments concerned to join hands for undertaking a joint concerted campaign to contain the further spread of such cases in the district,” said Jitendra Jorwal, DC
