70 new dengue cases reported

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 18

Seventy fresh cases of dengue were reported from different hospitals in the district today. Fiftyseven cases have been confirmed from Ludhiana district, while 11 new cases have been reported from other districts and two cases have been reported from other states.

Meanwhile, the Health Department has put to rest the controversy surrounding the death of five patients at Khanna. District epidemologist Dr Ramesh said: “The report has been prepared and it has come to light that the deaths did not occur due to dengue.”

Keeping in view the rise in dengue cases in the state, the Health Department has decided to conduct a study on the mosquito spreading dengue. So far 213 patients have been detected with dengue in the district.

The department of virology at PGI will conduct a serotyping study on the dengue mosquito. During the study, it will be found whether one or more type of viruses are active in the state.

Dengue is transmitted by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes, principally Aedes aegypti. The virus has five different types. The infection with one type usually gives lifelong immunity to that type, but only short-term immunity to others. Subsequent infection with a different type increases the risk of severe complications. As there is no commercially available vaccine, prevention is sought by reducing the habitat and the number of mosquitoes and limiting exposure to bites.

During the study it will be found as to how deadly can dengue, that has spread its tentacles in the state, be. If more than one virus is active, then there was a threat of haemorrhagic fevers.

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of illnesses caused by four families of viruses. These include ebola, marburg, lassa fever and yellow fever viruses. VHFs have common features and affect many organs. They damage blood vessels and affect body’s ability to regulate itself.

According to sources similar studies were done in the state two years ago as well. Although the Health Department was sure that type-2 virus was active in the state, it wants to get more certain by conducting the study.

The sample of positive patients would be preserved at 70°C and sent to PGI for study. There are 21 surveillance centres in the state and 50 samples will be sent from each centre for study.