Dengue continues to sting, 301 confirmed, 709 suspected cases in dist

In what appears to be a season of diseases, not only one but at least four vector-borne diseases are spreading fast in Ludhiana.

The dreaded dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease occurring in tropical and subtropical areas, continues to sting as 301 confirmed and 709 suspected cases of the vector-borne disease have been reported in the state’s biggest and largest district, in terms of area and population, this season so far, official figures have revealed.

The gravity of the situation could be gauged from the fact that at least 274 fresh dengue patients, including 98 confirmed cases, had been reported in the district during the past 10 days.

While 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, no fresh case of H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu, had been reported here during the past 10 days.

With two fresh cases in the past 10 days, the tally of confirmed malaria patients has gone up to 23, while the number of swine flu cases remains 28.

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 1,098 confirmed dengue cases reported here during the corresponding period last year.

Joint drive underway

I have been regularly reviewing the situation and have directed the departments concerned to work in close coordination for undertaking a joint concerted campaign to check the further spread of such diseases in the district. — Jitendra Jorwal, Deputy Commissioner

Besides, eight persons had died due to dengue in the district last year.

While 23 confirmed cases of malaria this year so far were less than 24 malaria patients reported during the corresponding period last year, the single case of chikungunya was also less than two such cases detected in the district last year.

Reviewing the situation, Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal has instructed district officials of all departments concerned — Health, Public Health and Municipal Corporation — to work in tandem and take effective steps to check the further spread of the vector-borne diseases in the district.

Civil Surgeon Pardeep Kumar Mohindra told The Tribune on Thursday 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 98 fresh cases of dengue were confirmed in the district between October 26 and November 6, which took the tally to 301, including 197 patients from urban and 104 from rural areas.

Besides, 709 suspected dengue cases, including 516 from urban and 193 patients from rural areas, had been reported till date.

Dr Mohindra said as many as 951 samples had so far been tested for dengue while 30,65,338 houses and 56,02,081 containers had been inspected to check the dengue mosquito larvae.

Following the detection of dengue larvae in 3,992 houses and 4,448 containers, as many as 1,578 challans had been issued against violators.

Besides, 2,13,645 peripheral smears for malaria parasite tests had been done at government facilities so far.

He said adequate arrangements had been made at all government institutions to test and treat 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

Urban areas were much more prone to dengue as compared to rural areas in the district. Of the total 301 confirmed patients of dengue reported till November 6, 197 patients were from urban areas while villages have reported 104 dengue cases. The 709 suspected dengue patients included 516 cases from urban and 193 from rural areas.

Joint drive underway

"I have been regularly reviewing the situation and have directed the departments concerned to work in close coordination for undertaking a joint concerted campaign to check the further spread of such diseases in the district," said Jitendra Jorwal, Deputy Commissioner.