Despite the fact that the suspected and confirmed dengue cases have been continuously be reported across the State, the State Health Department officials completely ruled out that the fever would become epidemic in the near future.
Officials claimed that the most of the dengue fever cases were reported from the neighbouring States of Uttarakhand and the patients visit the State in order to receive the best
possible medical care. The latest data compiled by the State Health Department clearly highlighted that the 352 suspected and confirmed dengue fever cases have been reported in the State so far and
maximum number of dengue fever cases were reported from Haridwar district.
Among the other affected districts of the State in terms of suspected and confirmed dengue and malaria cases were Dehradun, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar.
Shockingly, three causalities were also reported from Haridwar district only. The increasing number of malaria cases may keep the department on toes as 648 cases were detected so far across the State by the department.
Medicos told that people infected with dengue virus are asymptomatic (80 per cent) or only have mild symptoms such as an uncomplicated fever whereas as others have more severe illness (5 per cent), and in a small proportion it is life-threatening. The incubation period (time between exposure and onset of symptoms) ranges from 3–14 days, but most often it is 4–7 days. Therefore, travelers returning from endemic areas are unlikely to have dengue if fever or other symptoms start more than 14 days after arriving home.
Shockingly, children often experience symptoms similar to those of the common cold and gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) and have a greater risk of severe complications, though initial symptoms are generally mild but include high fever. Well established sources revealed that the department is keeping an eye on private practitioners in order to prevent them to mint money in name of dengue. It is noteworthy that the director of Yogi Pharmacy, Dr Avinash Magan had breathed his last due to the dengue fever.
While speaking to The Pioneer Dr Gurupal Singh, Chief Medical Officer Dehradun said that department has already pulled up its socks for preventing and controlling the deadly dengue fever in the district. He said that stern instructions have been already given to the department officials to keep a tab on the dengue fever and other suspected cases. Dr Singh informed that the medical officer in-charge of health centres including community health centres and primary health centres to immediately inform the higher officials.
“Health department is having full of life saving drugs and would be administered free of cost,” he said, adding that the beds have been already reserved exclusively for the dengue fever cases in the Doon Group of Hospitals and health centres.