450 dengue cases reported, flood-hit areas vulnerable

Vishav Bharti & Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Chandigarh/ Jalandhar, September 16

The number of dengue cases in the state has crossed the 400 mark. Out of these, around 300 cases have been reported in the past one month only. But the next two and half months are crucial, more so this year as the rain fury has left many villages in the state inundated.

According to the state’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, the total number of cases have reached to around 450 this season.

However, experts said Punjab’s pattern of dengue breakout reveals that over 90 per cent of the cases are reported between mid-September and November end.

For the past four years, on an average, 14,000 cases are being reported and over 10,000 cases each year are reported in October and November. Punjab is one of the worst affected states in the country. Last year proved as one of the worst years as over 15,000 cases were reported.

Meanwhile, experts say the massive floods in some areas can make the situation even worse this year.

One dengue case has been reported from flood-affected Mandala village, forcing medical teams to get to their toes as doctors are seeing danger ahead. The victim has been identified as Manjit Kaur (30).

A senior doctor said a survey was done to check the breeding of mosquitoes in the flood-affected areas earlier, but no disease-causing breed was found. “But now that a case has been reported, we will reinforce the team,” one of the officials from the Health Department said.

Now, a survey will be done in the village and it will be checked if anyone else is suffering from dengue.

“Dengue mosquito grows in stagnant water. Normally, this mosquito is found in clean water, but after this case, it is clear that dengue larvae are present in the flood water too,” an official said.

On the precautions to be taken, SMO Dr AS Duggal said if anybody was suffering from fever for three-four days, they must visit their nearby medical camp. “We have been advising people living in flooded areas to spread the stagnant water and wear full sleeve clothes and use mosquito repellants. We will be looking at this problem on priority as we are suspecting more cases now,” he said.