Dengue cases rise to 871 in Uttarakhand, 769 in Dehradun alone

DEHRADUN: Total dengue cases in

Uttarakhand

have soared to 871 with 769 alone in

Dehradun

raising an alarming situation in the city. Currently the most adversely impacted areas of Dehradun are Brahmpuri, DL Road, Khurbura,

Singhal Mandi

and Lakhibagh. Followed by Dehradun district is

Haridwar

(59), Nainital (30) and 13 residents of Uttar Pradesh those are being treated at various government hospitals of Uttarakhand.

Although cases are rising but as per health department’s officials it is more of panic that has gripped the city, speaking with media, nodal officer of Uttarakhand’s Integrate diseases surveillance programme (IDSP), Dr. Kiran Bisht, said, “More than dengue it is the panic around the virus that has taken a toll on public’s mindsets. Rather actively participating in fighting against the virus by keeping their vicinity clean and wearing long sleeves clothes, locals are expecting even their households to be sanitized by Municipal Corporation or health department. Currently Doonites need to join hands in fighting against the virus by following very basic steps that are being circulated by health department through online portal, social media as well as toll free line.”

Today the serological test report has come up with a finding that the dengue virus that has spread across the city is Den-3 this strain of virus is less virulent causing less damage to the patients. Meanwhile, the facility of ELISA testing is only available in seven government hospitals and medical college where the facility absolutely free of cost however, in the laboratories ELISA test samples are being sent to Delhi and patients are being charged heavily, “I have given blood sample of my son today and they have told me that within 24 hours, I will know the results. Total Rs. 1800 has been charged for the test result. In government hospitals the facility is not really very authentic because everyday around 800 samples are being checked.” said

Sunita Kumari

, a resident of Kaulagarh.

From today onward the health department and municipal corporation together have come into action with sending out 150 teams comprising 6-7 members out on the field to conduct various workshops, awareness camps, intensive fogging and larvicide spraying. Interestingly, in Dehradun the epidemic situation has come with some monetary gains such as ASHA and daily-wage workers being paid minimum Rs. 200 per day to go out on the field and perform dengue-drive.

On day one motivated by the amount 66 ASHA workers went out and conducted the task of source detection work in 1538 houses and tomorrow department is anticipating more than 200 ASHAs to be on the field and conduct the massive exercise of source detection.