Despite the district health department having gone into a pro-active mode to curb dengue menace, the vector-borne disease claimed its first victim, a woman, in Haridwar district on Friday. The death occurred in Bhimgoda area, said the district malaria officer Dr Gurnam Singh. Along with a team, he visited the affected area on Friday to ensure that such death does not recur.
Notably, Bhimgoda area is located at the base of the hills atop which is situated Mansa Devi temple. River Ganga is flowing at the other end of the area, now grappling with the dengue menace.
Family members of the deceased said that they had initially taken her to RK Mission hospital for routine checkup. After that they had approached Jolly Grant Hospital, they said.
Dr Singh said the deceased had not abided by the medical norms during the treatment. He further said that fumigation and spraying of insecticides had been rightly done in the area.
Dengue cases are now being increasingly detected in the district. Till date, 215 such cases have been detected from across the district out of which 27 have come out positive.
Dr Singh added that instant rapid kit is available in sufficient stock. Dr Gurnam Singh further added that the dengue cases will subside normally when the temperature varies between 20 to 35 degrees Celsius. Fresh shower witnessed in the city has, however, raised the worries of the health department, said Dr Singh. He urged the people not to let water accumulate in and around their houses. Such awareness is the only preventive for Dengue, he stated.