Central teams to rush to states to help control Dengue

    Jammu Tawi, Nov 03: The Union Health Ministry has ordered to rush high
    level teams to nine States/UTs including Jammu and Kashmir, where
    there is high caseload of Dengue, to support them in public health
    measures for control and management of Dengue in these states.

    These nine states/UTs are Haryana, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil
    Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir, the
    officials said.

    They said that the Union Health Minister had directed the Health
    Ministry to extend help to all the States/UTs having a high incidence
    of Dengue cases. A total of 1,16,991 dengue cases are being reported
    by States and UTs across the country.

    Significantly higher numbers of cases in some states were reported in
    October as compared to the number of cases during the same period
    previous year. A total of 15 States/UTs are reporting their maximum
    cases in the current year; these states contribute 86% of the
    country’s total dengue cases till 31st October.

    In view of this, Central teams comprising  experts from NVBDCP, NCDC
    and Regional Offices have been sent to 9 States/UTs that are reporting
    more cases in October compared to September.

    Officials said that the teams are tasked to assist and support states
    to mount an effective public health response. “The teams have been
    asked to report on status of vector control, availability of kits and
    medicines, early detection, availability and use of insecticides,
    status of anti-larval and anti-adult vector control measures etc,”
    they said, adding that “They will also brief the State Health
    authorities about their observations. Around one thousand cases of
    dengue have been reported so far in J&K.