JK reporting good number of dengue cases: Officials
Five deaths reported in the UT so far this year
Srinagar: Over 3600 dengue cases and five deaths have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir this year so far with five deaths accounted from Kashmir division alone.
A senior health official said that around 12328 tests have been conducted so far and 3,617 have come positive.
Of 3617, 90 percent of cases which is 3,093 cases are from Jammu district only.
They added that cases include 126 from Samba, 55 from Kathua, 107 from Udhampur, 61 from Reasi, 32 from Rajouri, 21 from Poonch, 76 from Doda, 24 from Ramban, 08 Kishtwar and five from Kashmir besides that nine from other states. Also, five people have died.
According to official data, the highest number of cases (1,837) was reported in 2013 but this year the old record has been surpassed.
Meanwhile, a senior doctor in Jammu said that dengue fever is the biggest challenge at the moment in Jammu and rise in admissions is a matter of great concern.
Principal Government Medical College Jammu, Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma, addressing a press conference here said that dengue positivity is showing an upward trend.
He said with enhanced testing, the number of positive cases is also increasing and dengue is the biggest challenge at the moment in Jammu.
“Everyday 80-90 children are admitted in Paediatrics hospital while 50-60 adults are also admitted every day which is a matter of great concern,” she said, adding that so far five persons suffering from dengue have died.
She said that it was found during the audit that the deceased reached hospital at a late stage with multi-organ failure and shock.
Since 2013, the first time dengue acquired the dimensions of epidemic and higher ups are continuously taking feedback and technical suggestions in this regard so that none can face any problems.
Dr Sashi said that there is no need to panic and if anyone will test positive he needs to take physical as well as mental rest.
“The patient should be kept hydrated and eat fruits and vegetables in abundance,” she said.
She added that shock syndrome and dengue haemorrhagic cases are very rare.
“The better way to keep ourselves away from dengue is to prevent mosquitoes from accessing egg-laying habitats by environmental management and modification, disposing of solid waste properly and removing artificial man-made habitats that can hold water and covering, emptying and cleaning of domestic water storage containers on a weekly basis besides applying appropriate insecticides to water storage outdoor containers,” Dr Sudan said.
Dr Rajeev Gupta, Head of Department Preventive and Social Medicine said that the Aedes aegypti mosquito is considered the primary vector of dengue.
“It could breed in natural containers such as tree holes and bromeliads but nowadays it has well adapted to urban habitats and breeds mostly in man-made containers including buckets, mud pots and discarded containers and used tyres, storm water drains etc which must cleared and cleaned frequently,” he added,
The mosquito remains active mostly at dusk and dawn and people must wear clothes that minimises skin exposure to these mosquitoes, he added. (KNO)
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