58 dengue cases reported in Fazilka

With winters round the corner, dengue has started spreading its tentacles in Fazilka district as several cases of dengue have been detected in the district.

Deputy Medical Commissioner (DMC)-cum-SMO Civil Hospital, Fazilka, Dr Edison Eric, said so far 58 cases had been reported in the district, out of which the urban areas had been dominating the figures.

He said 22 persons had recovered from the disease, while 36 cases were still active.

According to unofficial sources, the number of cases could be much higher.

Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that the blood-separating machines bought by the Health Department at the cost of crores of rupees about four years ago had been gathering dust in the blood bank situated in the old Civil Hospital building.

In case of dengue haemorrhagic fever, the patients’ platelet count can drop drastically.

During the visit of Health Minister Balbir Singh to Fazilka town during the recent floods, he had stated that due to the shortage of technical staff, the machines could not be made operative.

“In the absence of the facility of administering platelets, the patients have to go to other cities for treatment,” said a relative of a patient.

Dr Eric said 120 teams had been formed to control the disease and to make residents aware of the disease.