Dengue scare: No leave for health staff

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 14

With the number of dengue cases mounts to 1,185, the Patiala Health Department has cancelled leaves of the 255 heath officials of its anti-larvae team. 

Moreover, the officials have been working on even Sundays and gazetted holidays for the past one month.

Civil surgeon Dr Manjit said, “We are taking all preventive measures and have intensified our activities. People must not let water stagnate inside or near the homes.” 

Epidemiologist Dr Gurmeet said the timely diagnosis of the dengue virus is important. If the disease is diagnosed early, its effects can be combated at home. “If people keep their houses and surroundings clean and not letting the water stagnate, we can curb it.”

The peak season for breeding of dengue vector (carrier) is July to October. Intermittent rain and water storage at homes can give Aedes Aegypti more breeding time. Till now, the health officials along with the MC have issued 556 challans.  On misleading health tips doing rounds on the social media, the civil surgeon said, “I request to the residents not to fall a prey to fake messages.”