Dengue Threat: Health Dept enhances surveillance in Patiala district

Patiala, August 21

Concerned over spread of dengue, the Health Department, on Saturday, decided to direct all government and private hospitals to test every patient having fever for the mosquito-borne disease.

The directions were issued after a 10-year-old kid, a resident of the Ranjit Nagar area of the city, was found positive for dengue along with serious complications at the PGIMER, Chandigarh. So far, this is the second dengue case reported in the district.

Earlier, a six-year-old kid, a resident of a village in the Nabha block of the district tested positive for dengue and died during treatment at the DMCH, Ludhiana, this week.

In both the cases dengue was detected at later stage. Consequently, the Health Department has asked hospitals to test every patient, who has fever, for dengue. Despite symptomatic patients reporting to health centres, they were not being tested for dengue.

Dr Sumeet Singh, district epidemiologist, said, “We have already asked all officials to increase surveillance in the district. We will be directing all government and private hospitals to test everyone having fever for dengue. As dengue season is underway, residents should also remain alert and get tested for the disease at the earliest.”

Seven test positive

for Covid

Seven Covid cases were reported from Patiala on Saturday, which include a government school student. Of the seven, three were from Dudhan Sadhan, two from Patiala city and one each from Kauli and Harpalpur block. Health officials informed that the count of active cases with four fresh recoveries stood at 36 in the district. There was a slight increase in Covid cases over the last few days.—TNS