Dengue cases surpass 300 mark in Karnal district
Dengue cases have surged in the district, with reported cases crossing the 300 mark. So far, 316 cases have been officially registered, though the actual number could be higher as many patients receive treatment in private hospitals or at home. The district health authorities have ramped up their efforts to curb the spread of the virus. Dedicated dengue wards have been established at both the Civil Hospital and Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College (KCGMC), where patients are being treated. Private hospitals have been instructed to report every positive case to ensure a more accurate count of infections in the district.
The health authorities are focusing on identified hotspots, where four-five areas have shown the highest concentration of cases. “Fogging operations are being conducted in these areas, as well as in locations with newly reported cases,” said Dr Renu Chawla, Civil Surgeon. “Private doctors have been directed to report all cases, and positive cases from private facilities will undergo re-sampling for confirmation,” she added.
Dr Amandeep Singh, Head of the Medicine Department at the KCGMC, Karnal, advised residents to take preventive measures, including wearing long-sleeved clothes and avoiding areas prone to mosquito breeding. He said severe headache, high fever, body ache and bleeding from gums or other parts of the body when platelets are low were among the major symptoms of the dengue.
“A number of patients are coming to the OPD with fever and related symptoms. We recommend they undergo an ELISA test for dengue confirmation,” said Dr Singh. He also cautioned people against self-medication and encouraged them to consult a doctor. Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Anu Sharma urged residents to prevent water stagnation in their surroundings and using mosquito repellents. “Eliminating standing water can reduce mosquito breeding, a major step in controlling dengue spread,” she said.
She said that there were 166 teams, comprising 16 in urban areas of Karnal city and 150 in rural areas. To date, breeding of aedes mosquitoes was detected in 8,239 households, and so far, notices have been issued to 4,279 households.
