District admn holds review meeting to combat dengue

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 11

The district administration along with the Health Department held a review meeting for assessment of the preparations to combat dengue here today.

Assistant Commissioner Ishtam Vijay Singh said, “It’s everyone’s duty to spread awareness among people to ward-off dengue mosquito. The disease should not only be controlled, but should also be prevented before it spreads in the district.” 

“It’s necessary to create awareness about this fast-spreading disease especially among schoolchildren,” she added.

Civil Surgeon, Dr Manjit Singh, said, “The Health Department has taken help of the social media to spread awareness on dengue. We have also created a page titled ‘Sehat Vibagh Patiala’ on the Facebook.” 

“Arrangements have been made to get a feedback from ordinary people on the Facebook page, besides providing information about prevention, attention, surveillance, treatment and administration for dengue,” he added.

“House-to-house dry-day activity has already been initiated. Employees of the Health Department are identifying potential breeding areas,” he said.

District epidemiologist, Dr Sumeet Singh, said, “Last year, 40 per cent of the total cases were reported from the rural areas, including Kauli block, Samana and Shutrana.”

Officials of the Health Department said, “Confirmatory ELISA test is available free of cost at the Civil Hospital in Nabha, and Rajindra Hospital and Mata Kaushalaya Hospital in Patiala.”