465 dengue cases reported in Karnal so far
With seven fresh cases of dengue reported in Karnal, the tally has reached 465 so far in the district. The data, daily given by the Health Department, revealed the number of those positive patients, while there are several other cases, wherein the patients are either taking treatment at home or private hospitals and yet are to be reported. Health officials confirmed that the actual number of cases might be higher.
As per the authorities, to combat the outbreak, 166 teams are actively working in the district —150 in rural areas and 16 in urban. As of now, these team members covered 1,32,710 houses, including 7,004. A total of 9,495 houses have tested positive for dengue breeding sites since the start of the drive, with 76 houses testing positive on Wednesday.
In an effort to enforce hygiene and prevent breeding grounds for mosquitoes, the authorities have issued 33 notices under the Municipal Bye-laws Act (1973) on Wednesday, bringing the total number of notices to 4,853.
Despite rigorous efforts, the district has tested 13,122 dengue samples so far, of which 465 have returned positive. However, the district has reported zero dengue-related deaths so far.
The Health Department has issued guidelines, urging residents to take preventive measures.
“People are advised to observe every Sunday as ‘drying day’ and ensure that water does not stagnate in containers, coolers, tanks or low-lying areas,” said Dr Lokveer, Civil Surgeon, Karnal. He also advised people to wear full-sleeve clothes to reduce exposure to mosquito bites.
He warned people not to take self-medication and take medicine after the advice of the doctors.
MC intensifies fogging in city
Under the directives of Municipal Commissioner Vaishali Sharma, fogging operations are actively underway across the city. So far, nine wards have been covered as per the schedule prepared by the Sanitation Department. Both residential and commercial areas under the municipal limits are being targeted to curb mosquito breeding, with one ward being covered daily.
Two dedicated teams are engaged in the operation — one is focusing on scheduled fogging in the wards while the second is on emergency duty in areas reporting dengue-positive cases.
Sharma said the fogging drive began on November 11, and by Wednesday, nine wards had been covered. She further said on Thursday, Ward No 10 would be covered, which included Sector 13, Sector 13 extension, Old and New Housing Board and Mughal Canal.
Fogging will be carried out in Ward 11 on November 22, Ward 12 on November 23, Ward 13 on November 25, Ward 14 on November 26, Ward 15 on November 27, Ward 16 on November 28, Ward 17 on November 29, Ward 18 on November 30, Ward 19 on December 2 and Ward 20 on December 3, she said.
Municipal Commissioner Sharma also highlighted that all major areas would be covered through fogging, but if any area was missed, citizens could report it by calling the Municipal Corporation’s toll-free number, 18001802700. She urged the residents to prevent water stagnation in and around their homes and maintain cleanliness, besides advising them to pour black oil over stagnated water to create a surface barrier that prevented mosquitoes from breeding.
