Gujarat Health officials in north Gujarat are taking preventive measures after two people died in recent weeks following dengue-like symptoms even as more and more similar cases were reported. "The deceased, Vishnubhai Nai from Visanagar, must have carried the virus from Surat from where he had come," said Nayan Jani, chief district health officer (CDHO) of Mehsana district.

"We have been taking preventive measures to check the disease. Spreading awareness about this dreaded disease can be the real preventive step," he said Monday. Sabarkantha CDHO F. H. Patel said: "Shobham Sharma, 9,died of reported dengue but the report submitted by our investigative team on Sunday has not confirmed the disease." Sources in the Patan health department said a case of suspected dengue was notified at a private hospital of Deodar taluka in Banaskantha district.

According to Banaskantha malaria officer N. G. Bhalakiya, five cases of suspected dengue had come to light so far in the district but it was difficult to confirm them as the tests were carried out at private laboratories. "There is, however, no let up in our preventive steps. We have pressed into service two teams each headed by a medical officer and comprising 18 members. Cleanliness drives and spraying pesticides in the affected localities are on," said Bhalakiya.

 

Source : IANS