Swine flu declines, dengue cases rise

BHUBANESWAR: Even as swine flu cases showed a decline with no death reported in the last three days, the deadly dengue is rapidly spreading its tentacles in rural areas. As many as 53 positive cases have been reported on Friday.

Sources said, more than 1,000 persons have tested positive for dengue in less than a month activating the health machinery to initiate prompt measures to prevent the disease from spreading further.
The State has recorded 1,621 dengue positive cases and four deaths so far this year. The number of affected was 566 with two deaths till August 25.

Barring Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur, the disease has been reported from all other districts while Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda and Kendrapara have been major contributing districts.
Balasore, in fact, topped the list with 604 positive cases, followed by Bhadrak at 230 cases, Cuttack 197, Jajpur 118, Jajpur 74, Khurda 67 and Kendrapara 53 cases. One each death has been reported from Paradip, Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Balasore.

Compared to last year, the growth rate is not alarming, but detection of more than 50 persons every day for the last few days has left the health officials on the tenterhooks. Last year, 6,756 persons were affected by the disease and 11 died.Joint Director, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Dr MM Pradhan said at least 80 per cent positive cases are migratory in nature. “Most of the people diagnosed with dengue were working in metros like Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai which have a high prevalence rate,” he said.

A team of officials led by Dr Pradhan visited Baliapal and Bhogarai, the worst hit blocks of Balasore district, and conducted awareness camps to sensitise people for source reduction and cleaning of breeding sites. Entomologist Ravi Shankar Pandit, who visited the affected areas, also submitted his report on the possible reasons behind the rise of cases in the district.

“People have been alerted not to take pain killers if they experience pain during fever and consult doctors immediately. Since adequate hydration is a must, residents are told to increase their liquid intake. With the Puja vacation approaching, health officials have been asked to keep a close watch as more people are expected to return home,” Dr Pradhan added.