21 more test positive for dengue

Ludhiana, October 3

There seems to be no respite from dengue for the time being as 21 more suspected patients of mosquito-borne disease, admitted to different city hospitals here, have tested positive in the past 48 hours. These include two women. The number of dengue patients from the city alone has reached 258.

According to the District Epidemiologist, Dr Ramesh, in addition to dengue patients from the city, 64 from other districts of the state and another eight from the neighbouring states are under treatment at hospitals here.

Senior officials of the Health Department said facility for tests of dengue and chikungunya was available free of cost at the Civil Hospital for the general public. They said strict instructions had been issued to all private diagnostic laboratories not to charge more than Rs 600 for these tests.

Meanwhile, teams of the Health Department carried out a comprehensive awareness drive among the people, especially in vulnerable areas, to educate them on preventive measures against dengue and chikungunya. Emphasis was laid on steps to break the breeding cycle of mosquitoes and keeping the surroundings clean.