Anti-dengue squads deployed in Phagwara

As part of the government’s state-wide “Every Friday: Fight Dengue” campaign, the Phagwara Civil Hospital on Friday dispatched anti-larvae teams to earmaked hotspots in a concerted effort to curb the spread of dengue.

The initiative was undertaken under the guidance of Kapurthala Civil Surgeon Dr Sanjeev Bhagat and District Epidemiologist Dr Nandika Khullar, and was led locally by Senior Medical Officer Dr Simardeep Kaur. Under the supervision of Health Inspector Kanwaljit Singh Sandhu, teams comprising health inspectors Balihar Chand, Lakhwinder Singh and Manjinder Singh carried out spraying operations in localities, including Gobindpura, Bansat Nagar, Khera Road and Santokhpura.

Health officials addressing residents emphasised that dengue was a viral fever caused by the bite of the Aedes mosquito, which breeds in clean stagnant water. Common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, vomiting, and in some cases bleeding from the nose, gums or mouth.

Residents were urged to maintain proper sanitation, prevent the accumulation of water in coolers, flower pots, and old tyres, and observe a “dry day” every Friday by emptying water containers. They were also advised to use mosquito nets and repellents at night.

Authorities further informed that dengue testing and treatment were available free of cost at all government hospitals, and appealed the residents to seek immediate medical attention should they develop symptoms.