Health Dept warns Patiala residents of dengue outbreak amid Covid pandemic

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 21

Amid ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Health Department has warned residents against deadly dengue today. During the “Friday Dry Day” campaign, the Health Department found dengue larvae at 25 places in the district. The larvae were, however, immediately destroyed by officials of the Health Department.

The Patiala Civil Surgeon, Dr Satinder Singh, said though no dengue case was reported this season, yet residents should remain alert. Health officials inspected 9,852 houses during the anti-dengue campaign today, he added.

“As majority of the Health Department staff is engaged in Covid-related duties, residents themselves should take initiative and drain out water stagnating inside their houses at least on the “Friday Dry Day” campaign,” said health officials.

Appealing resident to take necessary precautions, the Health Department said dengue could prove fatal if residents showed a lackadaisical attitude towards disease.

Meanwhile, the District Epidemiologist, Dr Sumeet Singh, said the current weather, including rainfall and rise in humidity level, had created favourable conditions for breeding of dengue larvae.

“Recent rains have increased chances spreading dengue if people don’t take the mosquito-borne disease seriously. The present weather conditions are favourable for breeding of dengue larvae,” he added.

People should themselves get tested for dengue if they had high fever, headache, body ache, bleeding in gums and nose, he said.