PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Aug 23: The monsoon spectre of a dengue outbreak has gripped Jamshedpur with 95 fresh cases, including children, across hospitals testing positive for the life-threatening virus.
Sources in the East Singhbhum district health department said blood samples were sent to the microbiology department of MGM Medical College, Dimna, from Tata Main Hospital and several other hospitals.
Last year, the dengue virus, which is borne by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, had targeted over 50 people in Jamshedpur.
Officials at the district Civil Surgeon’s office said they had sounded an alert across hospitals, nursing homes and primary health centres, which had been directed to set up isolation wards. “Extra attention must be paid to patients turning up with high fever, which is a symptom of dengue along with others like headache and vomiting. Blood tests must be done to check platelet count,” said an official.
The district administration and JUSCO have also stepped up their sting battle. Fogging is done in vulnerable areas apart from spraying larvicides in pockets susceptible to dengue.
Health department officials exhorted people to start the dengue fight at home till then. “The Aedes mosquito breeds in water accumulated in utensils, flowerpots, old tyres, coolers and rooftop puddles. People should not allow water to accumulate in any vessel or anywhere in and around their houses,” said an official adding that they have also started imposing fines in various civic body areas including Mango and Jugsalai.
Notably, 2017 was the worst year as it saw numerous dengue cases in the steel city. There were 556 cases of dengue in 2017 in Jamshedpur and its outskirts with four deaths, which was reduced to 69 dengue cases and two deaths in 2018 after a massive awareness campaign and surveillance.
