Dengue cases highest in four years in Amritsar district

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 12

With the health department confirming 280 dengue cases till date, the district has reported more dengue cases this year as compared to the previous four years. The health department had reported only 22 cases last year. In 2013, a total of 244 cases were reported. In 2012, the district had reported only 26 dengue patients while in 2011, a total of 176 cases were reported.

The district epidemiologist, Dr Des Raj, said, “The prevalence of the disease has been on a larger scale this year. Even as the health department had started preparations to control the spread of dengue in April and May itself, the district has reported a huge number of patients this season.”

He said a total of 368 suspected cases of dengue were reported at various hospitals, out of which 280 were confirmed dengue patients. “The figures available with the department reveal that more number of dengue patients have been reported in alternate years. The dengue virus is more powerful during alternate years,” said Dr Des Raj.

He said that with decrease in temperature, the dengue virus would become weak. “The situation would improve by the end of this month. In the meantime, the residents are advised to take proper precautions,” he said.

He added that even though large number of dengue cases has been reported this year, timely medical facilities have helped save the situation. “We have isolated wards working at government hospitals from the very beginning. Besides, free diagnostic and subsidised platelet transfusion services have also been provided to the patients,” he added.