Dengue scare in state, 37 cases reported

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 14

Dengue has started spreading its tentacles in the state. At least 37 dengue cases have so far been reported from the state with Bathinda topping the chart with 27 cases.

Since the disease usually spreads in the months of September and October, the rising number of cases has set the alarm bells ringing in the Health Department.

"We have examined the situation. Continuous spell of rain from March and April onwards is to be blame for proliferation of mosquitoes," said Dr Bhag Mal, Director, Health.

He said Bathinda was the worst-affected district. He said 22 laboratories had been set up in district hospitals across the state for free testing of suspected dengue cases.

Besides Bathinda, five dengue cases have been reported from Ferozepur, one each from Patiala and Ludhiana. Sources, however, said the disease was acquiring an epidemic proportion with the number of patients touching the figure of 200.