Steep rise in dengue, 800 cases reported in 25 days
NO DEATHS Number of cases lower than last year, more people screened, claim officials
JAIPUR: There has been a steep rise in Dengue cases in Jaipur with 1336 cases reported in the district, of which 800 were reported in the last 25 days.
As per the health department, there were 535 dengue cases in Jaipur till September 24.
Since then the figure has touched 1336.
Dengue is a mosquito borne viral disease characterised by symptoms such as high fever, joint pains, headaches and rashes.
Jaipur has reported the highest number of cases in the state. As per the health department figures, the number of dengue cases in Rajasthan stands from January to October 20, 2019, stands at 2979.
The health department has divided Jaipur into two zones - Jaipur I and Jaipur II.
There were 853 cases from January to October in Jaipur I and 483 in Jaipur II.
After Jaipur, Kota has the highest number of cases at 416, followed by Alwar at 136 and Jodhpur at 132.
Director, Rural Health, Dr Ravi Sharma said the number of cases in Jaipur is more because more patients are being screened for dengue.
AS PER THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FIGURES, THE NUMBER OF DENGUE CASES IN RAJASTHAN FROM JANUARY TO OCTOBER 20, 2019, STANDS AT 2979
He also stressed that the number of cases is much lower than last year and no deaths have been reported this year.
“When a patient comes for treatment for cold, cough, fever, with symptoms being similar, doctors screen them for dengue too as a precautionary measure and several of them test positive. So the numbers have gone up,” he says.
Dr Sharma said the department is carrying out several activities in vulnerable areas such as the Walled City, Shastri
Nagar and outlying areas.
Dr Sharma said health department teams in Jaipur and across the state are carrying out activities such as house to house surveys, fogging, source reduction of stagnant water.
Dr Sharma also said the civic bodies are neglecting their duty.
“The primary responsibility of carrying out anti-larval activities and awareness campaigns is with the municipal corporations and other civic bodies but they are not taking these seriously.”
In Jaipur, however, 150 residents have been penalised by the Jaipur Municipal Corporationfor violating the health department guidelines.