Despite awareness drives, dengue cases on rise in city

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 18

Despite the awareness campaigns against the spread of dengue and precautions, cases of dengue have started rising in the city. The rapid spread of the disease is seen mostly before the onset of the winter season as the viral outbreak weakens with a fall in temperatures. But in the last few days, a jump has been seen in the number of persons suffering from dengue fever with 108 cases already having been reported from the district.

While the number of deaths due to dengue reported in the district is six, most of the cases happened in Ajnala. Despite best efforts by MC and Health Department officials to create awareness about dengue, its correct diagnosis and treatment, the authorities seem to have completely failed to check the spread of dengue. Ironically, Additional Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal is also suffering from dengue.

The official data on patients at government-run hospitals claims the number of dengue patients so far this season is less as compared to last year. What is worrying is that the majority of patients are being treated at private hospitals. No official concerned from the Health Department seems to know the exact figure of dengue patients being treated in private hospitals.