10 dengue, 2,400 malaria cases detected

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 24

The number of malaria patients in the state has gone up to 2,400 in the last three months. Of these, 50 per cent cases have been detected since the start of the monsoon. As many as 10 confirmed cases of dengue have also been detected in various districts.

Like last year, Mewat is the worst affected district in the state.

Alarmed at the sharp rise in malaria cases, for the first time in the medical history of Haryana, the state health authorities have started using rapid diagnostic test kits. Having faced criticism last year for failing to control the disease in the initial days, this year, the state authorities have received one lakh kits from the Ministry of Health.

Mewat is on top with 1,900 malaria patients, followed by Yamunanagar (150) and Palwal (125). The authorities have divided Mewat into 27 zones and senior officers have been deputed in each zone. In other districts also, the authorities claim to have taken all required steps to contain malaria.

Dr Vijay Garg, Director (Malaria), said they had decided to use kits this year. “With special kits, even nurses will be able to conduct tests on patients,” he said.

“This year, we have taken all preventive measures in advance and hopefully the number of patients would not rise like the last year,” he added.