Jammu Tawi: Social and health activist Sukesh C. Khajuria has urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take swift and effective action to control the ongoing dengue outbreak across the Union Territory (UT). Khajuria’s appeal comes as the UT faces a significant rise in dengue cases, particularly in Jammu district, where new cases are reported daily.
Khajuria criticized the municipal and health authorities for their reactive approach to tackling the outbreak, accusing them of acting as “fire fighting” agents rather than implementing the national guidelines for the timely prevention of vector-borne diseases. Official figures show that 6,151 dengue cases have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir this year, with Jammu district accounting for 3,728 of those cases. Other affected districts include Samba (646 cases), Kathua (593), Udhampur (322), and several others across the region. Additionally, 22 cases have been reported in the Kashmir Valley. As of now, 493 patients have been hospitalized due to dengue complications, with 403 having recovered and been discharged, while 78 remain under treatment.
Khajuria emphasized the urgent need for the Jammu and Kashmir government to implement the guidelines set by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) to curb the spread of dengue. He called for a coordinated and systematic approach, including efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, launch public awareness campaigns, and employ mosquito control measures like larviciding and indoor spraying.
Khajuria also recommended that the government prepare a targeted action plan for the ongoing dengue season, which is expected to last until December, to reduce the burden on the healthcare system and prevent further transmission of the disease.
