Dengue count reaches 130, 3 shopkeepers challaned

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 9

With the number of dengue patients increasing to 130 today, the Health Department has initiated a drive to issue challans to people from whose property dengue larva is detected. A department team issued three challans to shopkeepers in the Jahajgarh area today.

Health officials stated that the number of suspected dengue patients in the district had reached 268. Out of the total 130 dengue positive patients, more than half, 68, are from the walled-city area. With a large number of patients reporting from the walled city, the health officials stated that the Municipal Corporation should get fogging done in the entire area to kill mosquitoes.

The Health Department officials stated that they were ensuring that fogging was conducted in the areas from where dengue patients were reporting. However, the Municipal Corporation has yet not begun the fogging exercise, even as the Deputy Commissioner had issued instructions a few days ago.

The health officials stated that they have also roped in Aganwari and ASHA workers to spread awareness about the disease. The district epidemiologist, Dr Madan Mohan, said Aganwari workers would help the department in educating people about the precautions to be taken.

He said fogging by the Health Department teams was conducted in Katra Moti Ram, Khoo Suniarea, Katra Dal Singh, Nwa Kot Islamabad, Khandwala, Chehharta, Gopal Nagar and Kartar Nagar today.

The health officials stated that the dengue mosquito usually bites during the day time and it multiplies in fresh water. “People should wear full-sleeve shirts and socks to prevent mosquito bites,” said Dr Madan Mohan.

He said samples of suspected dengue patients are being sent for testing almost daily. The department is receiving reports of 20 to 30 suspected dengue patients on a daily basis.