Punjab, Haryana on alert as dengue scare spreads

Chandigarh: Dengue scare is spreading in both Punjab and Haryana, with two deaths and over 1,400 cases altogether of the vector-borne disease being reported from the two states.

In Punjab, two persons have died due to dengue over the past few days while 1,000 confirmed cases have been reported from all across the state, Punjab's Principal Secretary (Health), Vini Mahajan said on Tuesday. "This year, we are witnessing a rise in dengue cases from different parts of the country. In Punjab too, we have had two deaths so far and over a 1000 confirmed cases have been reported.

"We are taking all necessary measures to help check the number of cases and in this regard we are also making people aware about the steps they need to take," she said, adding, there was no need to panic. Mahajan said that private hospitals have been directed to report all dengue cases and deaths. "Testing kits are available in adequate numbers and isolation wards for dengue patients have been set up in all civil hospitals...All private hospitals have also been directed to use the recommended kits only," she said.

Both Punjab and Haryana governments have announced free treatment for dengue patients at civil hospitals. "Main thing is to prevent mosquito-breeding, Aedes breeds in clean water, people should keep their coolers at homes clean. Water stored in open pots and other utensils can also become a breeding ground for these mosquitoes," she said.

Meanwhile, Haryana has reported over 400 positive cases of dengue while two persons are suspected to have succumbed to the deadly disease. Haryana's Health Minister Anil Vij said today that fogging has been ordered in all districts of the state. "Orders have been issued to provide dengue-testing laboratory equipment immediately in all districts.

All necessary medicines have been rushed to all hospitals. Two new platelets-extracting machines have been installed--one at Gurgaon and another one at Panchkula and made functional," he said.

Vij said that the Health Department is on high alert in the wake of rising dengue cases. "All Deputy Commissioners in the state have been asked to launch massive cleanliness drive," he added.