In the wake of a sharp spike in dengue cases in Uttar Pradesh, particularly Firozabad, Agra and Etawah districts, the Centre on Friday rushed a six-member team to the northern State to help the authorities control and manage the vector-borne disease.
“Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has decided to depute a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Uttar Pradesh to collaborate with the State Health Authorities in instituting public health measures for Dengue management in Firozabad, Agra and Etawah districts," said an official from the Ministry.
The six-member Central team comprises experts drawn from the National Centre for Disease Control, National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, the official said.
The team shall work closely with the state health departments, take a stock of on ground situation and recommend necessary public health interventions to manage the increasing cases of dengue being reported by the State.
In fact, dengue cases are on the rise in various parts of the country with 30,627 cases and 12 deaths this year until the end of August, according to the latest data by the union health ministry.
The burden is the highest in Karnataka (5,392), Tamil Nadu (3,396), Telangana (2,960), Maharashtra (2,927), Andhra Pradesh (2,309), Kerala (2,007), Odisha (1,745), Chhattisgarh (1448) and Gujarat (1212).
More than 1,455 cases of swine flu with 30 deaths have been reported this year in India. Maharashtra reported the highest number (512 cases, 16 deaths), followed by Karnataka (283), Gujarat (205), Rajasthan (125), West Bengal (81), Goa (61) Telangana (38) and Delhi (12).
Noida-based consultant physician and family doctor Raman Kumar said that in recent times, he has been getting lots of dengue cases from the NCR region. “Those experiencing high fever, severe headaches, vomiting, nausea, and muscle and joint aches, must seek medical attention immediately.
When someone contracts dengue, their platelet count could drop below 50,000. This could lead to significant risks. Hence, the symptoms should not be ignored," he added.