38 cases of malaria detected in 3 months

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 25

A team of workers from the district Health Department has recovered as many as 584 larvae of Aedes mosquito (that spread dengue) in the past three months from various locations, majorly from houses of residents, in the city. Moreover, the district has witnessed 38 new confirmed cases of malaria during the period.

As per Health Department officials, except Balraj Nagar and Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, the larvae was not found in clusters anywhere else in the city. As many as 22 larvae were found from government offices from various locations and one larva was found from a police station. Besides 38 new confirmed cases of malaria, there confirmed cases of dengue have also been reported from the district so far.

The officials claimed that “they had been undertaking all preventive measures to counter dengue and malaria in the district but city residents have to cooperate and act responsibly so that we could attain our goals easily.”

On being asked about the high number of mosquito larvae being found in the city, while talking to Bathinda Tribune, Dr Umesh Gupta, District Programme Officer, National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme, said: “It is not feasible for Health Department workers/officials to repeat visit to each and every house every week. It is advisable for every city resident to ensure that they keep a watch and don’t let mosquito larvae breed in their houses and surroundings. Cooperation of people and vigil is required to achieve our aim.”

Meanwhile, the officials also conducted a meeting with the Municipal Corporation Commissioner to chart out a co-ordinated plan of action to counter dengue, malaria and other vector-borne diseases in the district.

Sources said some MC officials had brought to the notice of the Health Department that there were ponds where water constantly remain stagnant.