Dengue larvae found at 28 spots in district

Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, May 3

As a part of ‘Dry Day Friday’ dengue awareness campaign, the Health Department has found dengue larvae at 28 fresh spot in the district today. 

Larvae was detected at Prem Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Karkhas Colony, Khalsa Mohalla, Virk colony and Dheeru ki Majri. With this the department concerned has found dengue larvae at 82 spots this season.

While the Health Department has been extensively organising drives in the district from March onwards, role of the civic bodies has come under scanner. 

The department had asked the MCs to step up source reduction activities. The health experts said dengue source reduction activities, including fogging and spraying larvicides comes under the purview of the civic bodies. 

Dr Sumeet, District Epidemiologist said, they had asked the civic bodies to start source reduction activities.

He said the department would expedite larvae- control activities. Dr Sumeet said the district administration has instructed the Patiala Urban Planning and Development Authority (PDA) and Improvement Trust, along with the MC, to take anti-mosquito measures in their respective areas. 

The Health Department would maintain a close liaison with all the departments to cover high-risk areas on a priority basis, he said.

Civil Surgeon Dr Manjit Singh said, “We have already increased dengue control activities with on-set of summer. We have also requested people to actively participate in the dengue drive.”

30-yr-old found positive

A 30-year-old, Deep Nagar resident, was found positive for dengue on Thursday, said the district Health Department. He was admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh. 

Dr Sumeet said sporadic cases could occur even during the interepidemic period. He said, “We have already checked the surrounding houses of the infected persons. No larval collections were found. Moreover, the patient has been treated and is healthy.”

The Civil Surgeon said, “Anti-larval operations at the patient’s residence have been done as per guidelines. There are no chances of any further spread. This case is not a fresh case as his antigen test was negative.”