Dengue rears its head in Mandi

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 18

The increasing dengue cases have created panic in the district.

The data from the district Zonal Hospital reveal that the first case of dengue reported from Diyargi village in the Balh area of the district on August 6.

A 23-year-old youth was diagnosed with the virus. The situation was under control till August 11 as only six cases were reported in Sundernagar and Mandi Sadar blocks. The situation got worse after heavy rain on August 12.

According to Chief Medical Officer Jeeva Nand, 22 samples were taken till August 17 and 10 were found positive. On Saturday, seven more samples were found positive. Six patients were from Dehar village and one from Balh.

The most-affected area is Dehar village in Sungernagar while a few cases were reported from Balh and Mandi Sadar. However, no death was reported.

The health authorities were blaming locals, gram panchyats, the PWD and district administration for the poor drainage system which had resulted in waterlogging for days. It made the situation prone to dengue and malaria outbreak.

A health team on Friday visited Dehar village to take stock of the situation and an anti-mosquito fogging operation was conducted. Jeeva Nand said 18 patients were found positive for dengue. “The areas where the cases were reported have poor drainage system. Roads are full of potholes which turn like a pool of water during the rains, resulting in mosquito breeding,” he added. The CMO said people were advised to take precautions. He added that district administration should also take initiative to ensure proper drainage in towns and villages.

Symptoms

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by dengue virus. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection. This may include high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains and a characteristic skin rash.

Dehar village most affected

The most-affected area is Dehar village under Sungernagar while a few cases were reported from Balh and Mandi Sadar. However, no death was reported.

Waterlogging to blame

The health authorities were blaming locals, gram panchyats, the PWD and district administration for the poor drainage system which had resulted in waterlogging for days. It made the situation prone to dengue and malaria outbreak.