CHANDIGARH:Principal Secretary Health Mr. Alok Shekhar here today stated that an upsurge in dengue cases has been reported in Punjab in the current year. He said 1724 confirmed cases from across state have already been reported till day. Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, SAS Nagar, Bathinda, and Pathankot are among the major districts attributing dengue cases. He said that to prevent and manage dengue outbreaks, the Government of Punjab has increased the number of testing labs to 39. He added that testing and treatment of dengue is free of cost in all Government hospitals.
Divulging more details Mr. Alok Shekhar said that Dengue and Malaria have been notified under Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, according to which all private medical practitioners must report the Dengue and Malaria case to the Department of Health and Family Welfare. Legal action can be taken against any hospital for disobeying the notification. He said that sufficient kits for testing and whole blood and blood components are available in Government Hospitals. Rate Contract of Larvicides and Insecticides are in place and sufficient quantity for spray is available.
He disclosed that Department has identified the dengue wards and earmarked dengue beds in the Government hospitals for prompt and proper management of dengue cases. The number of breeding checkers for spray activities for dengue has been increased to 460 and 50-60 houses surrounding the house from where a case is reported are sprayed with a suitable insecticide.
Dr. Andesh Kang Director Health and Family Welfare Punjab said that awareness activities for the prevention and control of dengue have been stepped up due to upsurge in the cases. She further told that “Every Friday has been declared as Dry day” by the Department of Health and Family Welfare to encourage the community to check stagnation of water at breeding places like empty utensils, flowerpots, tyres, coolers etc. She further added that sensitization of medical and paramedical staff for the effective management of dengue is being undertaken regularly by Government Medical Colleges in the state.
Director Health also said that meetings with stakeholder departments are being organized at State and district levels and participation of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats and Department of Local Bodies has been increased for fogging of Insecticides, larvicides etc. She said that Department of Health and Family Welfare Punjab has collaborated with PGI for research on dengue, sensitivity and specificity of various insecticides and serotyping of different viruses for dengue.