Dengue spreads its tentacles in Patiala district

Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 13

In the ongoing pandemic, dengue, a vector-borne disease, has already knocked on residents doors in the district. So far, nine dengue cases have been reported in the district.

The Health Department said dengue could prove fatal if residents showed lackadaisical attitude towards the disease.

The Patiala Civil Surgeon, Dr Harish Malhotra, said, “Despite the fact that public is aware of steps to control the disease, it has come to fore that dengue larvae have been found at many households. Everyone should make sure that water does not stagnate in his/her house or surroundings.”

“Residents should immediately go for testing if they have any symptoms of Covid or dengue. Symptoms of both the infections are almost similar,” Dr Malhotra added.

The Health Department said dengue ward had been set up at government hospitals. “Testing has been initiated at Government Rajindra Hospital, Government Mata Kaushalya Hospital and the Civil Hospital, Nabha,” the department added.

According to the Health Department, in all, 4.02 lakh houses were covered to detect breeding of dengue larvae. Till now, dengue larvae was detected and destroyed at 2,023 places, the department added.

Meanwhile, notices were issued to hundreds of owners of houses where dengue larvae were found.

Dr Sumeet Singh, district epidemiologist, said, if stagnant water was not drained out it might become breeding ground of mosquitoes.

Season’s first

malaria case

The district reported season’s first case of malaria. The Health Department said a child of the migrant labourer, who came from Uttar Pradesh, tested positive for malaria. The department said all precautions had been taken to curb the spread of malaria.