Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 17: A total of 52 dengue cases have been reported so far this year in Jammu region.
According to an official of Health Department as on today, about 325 patients were tested for dengue out of which 52 cases were found to be positive. “No death has been reported due to dengue so far”, he added.
Elaborating more, he said that out of 52 dengue cases, 18 have been reported from Jammu district, 15 from Samba, 7 from Rajouri, 3 each from Kathua and Udhampur, 2 each from Poonch and Ramban and from Reasi while the address of one is unknown.
The official said that so far dengue has not claimed any life in Jammu region and most of the patients affected with the disease have returned to their home after successful treatment in various hospitals. He said as compared to last year as on date, the number of dengue cases is higher but we cannot call it an alarming situation.
“People should not get panic. It is expected after Monsoon session due to water logging at many places but this year the vector -borne disease knocked the door much earlier due to deficient rains. Health Department is on the job and the situation is under control,” he added.
“The Department is taking all necessary measures to further prevent the spread of dengue in Jammu,” he said, adding, the main cause of dengue is stagnant water and the department is spreading awareness among the masses to prevent stagnation of water. The department has also sensitized its staff and Asha workers to combat the disease.
He said that teams of Health Department in collaboration with Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) have started fumigation in the city and the process of fogging will continue till the risk of dengue prevails in the city. “Moreover, the Department has also started releasing anti-larva fishes in still water bodies, like ponds, in urban as well as rural areas to prevent the spread of mosquitoes,” the official said and advised the people not to allow water stagnation in empty pots, water coolers, earthen pots, as larva of dengue mosquitoes started breeding in stagnated fresh water from 7 to 10 days.