Dengue cases reach 197, chikungunya 8 in district

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 25

After the overwhelming reportage of dengue patients in the district last year, the health and MC authorities had been on their toes since early on to prevent a similar rise in cases this time. However, with the total number of dengue patients in the district reaching 197, a repeat of 2016 now seems inevitable – especially given the fact that the total number of cases reported this time last year, compared to this year’s total so far are almost neck to neck.

Notably, while as many as 1,047 dengue cases – 877 urban and 170 rural – were reported in the district last year, this year, to keep dengue at bay, the city has been divided into seven zones early on to prevent a spurt in its cases.

Last year, 30 sensitive areas where dengue cases are common were also identified in the district as Shaeed Babu Labh Singh Nagar (74), Basti Bawa Khel (48), Maqsudan, Janta Colony, Surnanussi, Jindan Road (42), By Pass (39), Model Town, Cheema Nagar (39), Basti Peer Daad (34), Ram Nagar (29), Jyoti Nagar, Urban Estate (236), Near Garha (24), Nakoda Road, Khambra, Khurla Kingra (23), among others.

A 10-member rapid response team had also been constituted in the district to keep a check on dengue. However, starting at a snail’s pace in August, by the end of September, the dengue touched 200.

Of the 197 dengue cases reported in the city so far, a majority are urban, barring seven cases which are from rural areas.

This despite the fact that the health and MC departments also observed dry days throughout this year, with as over 150 establishments in the district already having been challaned for allowing the breeding of dengue larvae on their premises.

Meanwhile, while the health authorities grapple with the dengue threat, chikungunya has also come calling. Eight cases have already been reported in the district from Sant Nagar, Basti Bawa Khel, Basti Danishmandan, Bhargo Camp etc.

Notably, it is the first time this year that the chikungunya reportage has been started at district civil hospitals of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Bathinda, Sangrur. Earlier, the tests of chinkungunya were restricted only to medical colleges.

District IDSP in charge Dr Surinder Kumar said, “Chikungunya has begun to be tested for the first time. So far, the disease is controlled. However, dengue reportage has almost reached the parallel limit compared to last year. A week ago, a meeting of the Civil Surgeon with the mayor and various councillors was also held to deliberate on the measures to counter the spread of dengue and the dry day drives have also been carried out intensively in various areas. While awareness is at its best, the problem also lies with even some educated part of the populace who are just not willing to admit to or take seriously the threat of dengue and are still non-serious about water accumulation or larvae breeding in their surroundings. Within a few days, the health department shall also be putting big hoardings at key locations in the city, including PAP Chowk, railway station, DC office and the Civil Hospital in an effort to spread awareness about the fevers.”

Chkungunya, also spread by the Aedis egyptis mosquito, which is also the carrier of dengue, causes fever, joint pains and a stiffening of joints in which eventuality, patients are advised to immediately see a doctor.