J&K Dengue Alert: Central team visits affected areas, stresses on awareness

Jammu Tawi, Nov 9: In the wake of rising dengue cases, a central team headed by Dr. Mahesh Chandra Kaushik, Consultant of National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, on Tuesday arrived here to take stock of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources in the health department said that the team visited the most-affected Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts and also interacted with the people and enquired about the steps taken to prevent dengue.
He was accompanied by Dr Shazia, Regional Director of Jammu and Kashmir and Dr Belu Sharma, State Malaria Officer.
Dr Kaushik stressed on making people aware about the prevention of dengue.
Dr. Kaushik, sources said, also visited New Plot, Sarwal and Jammu-based Government Medical College and Hospital, Sarwal Hospital and inspected the wards made for treating the patients.
He also reviewed all the arrangements made in treating the Dengue patients.
Dr Kaushik visited the houses of some locals and made them aware to prevent the disease like not to keep water tanks open, and not allow stagnant water.
He also inquired about fogging in these areas and later inspected some private laboratories.
Sources said that Dr Kaushik, along with other officers, went to Samba and visited Govindsar area of Kathua, which is one of the most-affected areas in the district.
The team emphasized on cleanliness in the area and asked for fogging.
Dr. Kaushik will submit a report to the Center on the dengue situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
By Monday, the total number of dengue patients had swelled up to 1137 across Jammu and Kashmir.