2,153 patients found dengue positive in state, Hisar dist has highest incidence

CHANDIGARH: A total of 2,153 persons were tested positive for dengue in Haryana till October 30 this year, the Punjab and Haryana high court was informed on Thursday.

Thesefiguresweresharedduring a hearing on a suo motu petition on the spread of dengue and consequent deaths due to the vector-borne disease.

As per the status report filed by Aditya Chaudhary, director health services (malaria), Haryana, no dengue death had been confirmed so far.

A total of 12,706 samples of blood were tested, the status report stated. The highest number of positive cases have been reported from Hisar where 302 people were found positive, it said, adding that Rohtak had 278 positive cases, Ambala 223, Fatehabad 203 and Panchkula had 152 cases. While Nuh district did not report even a single positive case, three positive cases each were reported from Mahendargarh and Palwal. The high court bench was told that dengue death audit committees have been constituted at the district and state level to review suspected dengue deaths.

The HC had issued a notice to Punjab and Haryana, taking note of news reports, including some published in Hindustan Times, and observed that it appeared that the health departments of the two states and Chandigarh are not equipped to tackle the disease. The HC observed that there was a gross dereliction of duty on part of the authorities concerned, which are not taking timely steps for prevention and control of the epidemic.