50 dengue cases in district

Dengue has started spreading its tentacles in the city, and 50 patients have tested positive for the mosquito-borne disease. Of these, 24 cases have been reported from Patiala city.

• Five colonies in Patiala have been identified as dengue hotspots, where the MC will run awareness campaigns.
• Patiala ADC (Urban Development) Navreet Kaur Sekhon has urged people to take precautions to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, and wear full-sleeved clothes to avoid mosquito bites

As many as 762 dengue tests have been conducted in the district, out of which 50 were found to have been suffering from dengue.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development) of Patiala, Navreet Kaur Sekhon, stated that due to an increase in the mosquito population, there is a risk of a surge in dengue and chikungunya cases. In light of this, orders have been issued to intensify the anti-mosquito campaign within the district, especially in hotspot areas.

She said five colonies were identified as dengue hotspots. She added that the Municipal Corporation will run an awareness campaign, in collaboration with local associations, in these colonies.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner has urged people to take all precautions to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, and wear full-sleeved clothes to avoid mosquito bites. She appealed to the public to not take any kind of fever lightly and get themselves tested for dengue.

She also issued directions to boost fogging activities during a review meeting with the Joint Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, Deepjot Kaur, Civil Surgeon Dr Jatinder Kansal, Epidemiologist Dr Sumit Singh, SMOs, all Executive Officers, and BDOs. She further directed the officials to make people aware about vector-borne diseases. She stated that a challan should be issued for households, whereever mosquito larvae are found.

The ADC further said in accordance with the instructions of Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, the district administration has launched a campaign against dengue, in collaboration with the Health Department. In this regard, 30 beds have been reserved at Rajindra Hospital, 18 beds at Mata Kaushalya Hospital, and six beds each in all CHC.