Dengue spreads its tentacles in dist

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 17

Thirty new cases, which tested positive for dengue, besides the two chikungunya, were reported from the district today. Now, the total count of dengue patients in the district has gone up to 288.

As many as 460 suspected dengue patients came to hospitals during the current season.

The health authorities stated that reports of another 40 suspected dengue patients were expected by tomorrow. The chikungunya cases are first in the season. However, the district had reported 18 chikungunya cases last year too. The health authorities stated that they would look into the travel history of the two chikungunya patients as they believe that they might have visited Delhi recently.

“Most of the chikungunya patients have been reported from Delhi during the current season. It is a very uncommon disease in Punjab,” said district epidemiologist, Dr Madan Mohan. He said, “Chikungunya is also caused by mosquito bite. The people are advised to take proper precautions.”

Meanwhile, the Health Department also conducted fogging in various areas of the city today. Dr Mohan said teams of the Health Department were carrying out fogging in various areas on Saturdays and Sundays despite these being public holidays.

As many as 148 dengue patient, which is the maximum in the district, have reported from localities in the walled city areas with dense population and poor civic conditions.

The number of patients from rural areas of the district was the lowest, stated the health authorities.

Meanwhile, the death review committee of the Health Department is yet to confirm whether a government school teacher died of dengue earlier this week.