The Union Territory of Puducherry has recorded the highest number of dengue cases in October. So far, 1,891 people have tested positive for the syndrome this month.
Health department officials said the number of dengue cases reported was highest ever this month in Union Territory. The number of cases have started showing a decline in the last two or three days.
A 55-year-old person who tested positive for dengue died at Madagadipet on Sunday. Five persons have died and at least 2,900 have tested positive for dengue since January 2017.
With the northeast monsoon setting in, health officials in Puducherry expect the spread of dengue fever to reduce.
K.V. Raman, Director (Health and Family Welfare Services), said the continuous rainfall would reduce spread of dengue fever. “The number of dengue cases reported in October 26 was 106. It was reduced to 58 on October 27 and 32 on October 28,” he said.
Seasonal hazards
He said people should be cautious during the monsoon as continuous rainfall would result in sewage water getting mixed with clean water. “We have alerted the primary health centres to send water samples every fortnight to the public labs to check for water contamination,” Dr. Raman added. They would be procuring a platelet separator soon. Currently, there was one platelet separator in Government General Hospital and one in the medical college.
A senior official in the Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) said mosquito breeding in stagnant polluted water bodies was dangerous and water should not be allowed to stagnate.
Review meeting
Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi held a review meeting in the Collectorate on Monday.
She said the focus remained on cleaning, house-to-house visits, fogging and spraying. It had been collectively decided to prosecute the offenders who failed to clear debris in the vacant plots. “This will amount to a spot fine against a receipt. The challan or prosecution slip of those unable to pay will be sent to the court. Hence, choice will be of the offenders to pay to municipal officer or before the court later when the court summons them,” she said.
