CHANDIGARH: Dengue is becoming a new challenge for the health department with a worrying rise in the number of dengue cases in the state of Punjab.

State health department records suggest that among the 13,532 tests conducted in suspected patients, 3,760 have returned positive of dengue. Thirty nine laboratories in Punjab are doing free testing of dengue at present.

Deputy chief minister O P Soni has asked the health department officials to hasten the efforts to control dengue. He urged people to take necessary precautions, liking preventing the accumulation of water in coolers, pots and other utensils in or around their houses. He further stated that dengue and malaria are notified under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, and all private hospitals in the state must report dengue and malaria cases to the health department.

Free dengue treatment is being provided at government hospitals and dengue wards have also been set up. Blood components are also available in government hospitals for dengue patients.

The minister also said that the number of breeding checkers has been increased to 460 in a bid to eradicate dengue and that mosquito repellent is sprayed in 50-60 houses around a dengue patient’s house.

Source: ET Healthworld