Dengue scare in Ludhiana, 10-year-old girl dies

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 26

A 10-year-old girl died of dengue on Friday night. The victim, Preeti Kumari was suffering from severe dengue that was confirmed by Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. Besides, a four-year-old girl Ananya of New Durga colony had died on Monday after she suffered from dengue shock syndrome as per the report of PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Two children have died due to dengue in the last five days in New Durga Colony of Dhandari Khurd in ward 28 Ludhiana. Besides, a few suspected dengue deaths were also reported in the nearby areas where various streets and plots often remain flooded with water due to defunct sewers.

The area residents accused the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, for ignoring water accumulation on roads and vacant plots in ward 28 as the sewers remained defunct for the past more than one year.

Munna Lal, Preeti’s father, said, “My daughter had fever, abdominal pain and other symptoms for the past five days. She was taking treatment from a private hospital, but her condition had deteriorated. She was later admitted to the DMCH where she succumbed to dengue on Friday. Besides, my seven-year-old daughter is also suffering from dengue and is currently under treatment at ESI Hospital.”

Lal, who is a factory worker, said, “The streets and plots remain flooded with water where mosquitoes breed, but nobody pays any attention. Even no fogging was conducted to control breeding of mosquitoes in our street. I spent Rs 2 lakh on treatment of Preeti in last 4-5 days. She had a health insurance card that was issued by the government, but it was not accepted by the hospital for her treatment.”

RK Yadav, president of Yadav Mahasabha Punjab, said, “Apart from death of these two children, a few suspected dengue deaths have also been reported. Many suspected dengue patients are taking treatment. Dengue cases are being reported due to water accumulation in these areas. Our association requests the Chief Minister to look into the matter and instruct the authorities to do the needful.”

Meanwhile, teams of the Health Department and MC reached the affected area in the evening and conducted spraying operations.