In absence of Enzyme linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ElISA) kits, the process of testing of samples for suspected cases of dengue in State capital is affected.
The test is used as confirmatory test for Dengue in the samples of suspected patients of the disease. Interestingly, the department conducted last ElISA test on September 30 in which the number of positive cases in the district mounted to 301. It is learnt that the stock of the ElISA kits of the department is exhausted and now it is waiting for fresh stock from New Delhi to arrive.
The District vector borne disease officer, J P Bahuguna said that more than 150 samples of suspected patients would be subjected to ElISA test once the kit arrives. He said that the department is conducting rapid test in absence of ElISA kits in which 1025 positive cases of dengue in the state capital are reported.
The number of cases of dengue this year has surpassed the last year’s figure of 131 cases. Interestingly the department does not consider the report of rapid test for listing positive cases of Dengue and instead relies on ElISA test.
It is learnt that the department has ordered 10 kits of ElISA from a Pharmaceutical company based in the Delhi which are yet to arrive in Dehradun due to which the processing of testing the samples is halted. From one ElISA kit 96 samples can be tested for dengue. Bahuguna informed that the kits are expected to arrive on Monday.