No respite from dengue cases

Karam Prakash

  Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 18

Despite efforts of the Health Department, the number of dengue cases reached 2,221 in the district on Sunday afternoon. Last year, the number of dengue patients stood at 2,432. 

Though the Health Department in the district  had initiated a programme, “Friday Dry Day”, in March besides  conducting several mass awareness campaigns for residents, dengue did spread its tentacles this season too. 

Civil Surgeon Manjit Singh, however, said, “Despite the initial outbreaks, we have been able to contain the spread of dengue. The number of dengue cases is still less than the previous year. We were on toes throughout the season and still trying our best to tackle the disease. We have the best cure rate.” 

Health officials said their responsibility was to create awareness among people about the disease and provide best possible health care facilities to them. Shifting the blame of dengue cases to the  Municipal Corporation, they said the responsibility of fogging was with the civic body.    

Only 7.4 per cent of violators fined 

On October 4, Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit had ordered the registration of cases against those in whose houses dengue larvae was found despite warnings. However, no FIR has been lodged till date.  In this season, despite the detection of dengue larvae at 8,329 places, officials of the Local Bodies Department penalised merely 617 persons (7.4 per cent of the total).