After one confirmed dengue case in Gurgaon, health dept intensifies search for more breeding grounds

Health officials said 55 mosquito-breeding sites have been identified in Gurgaon so far this year

The confirmed dengue case reported in the city on Friday has set alarm bells ringing in the corridors of the health department, with officials stepping up search for more mosquito breeding sites to prevent an outbreak. Health officials said 55 breeding sites have already been identified this year.

A waterlogged patch of land near the Mini Secretariat has turned into an ideal mosquito-breeding ground. (Parveen Kumar/HT)

Last year, in June, 238 mosquito breeding grounds were identified across Gurgaon.

The hunt for more breeding sites came as health officials confirmed the first dengue case in the city on Friday. The patient is a 22-year-old man from Sector 46. He was admitted to a private hospital.

Though doctors treating the patient said his condition is now stable, the season’s first dengue case has prompted health officials to adopt urgent measures to contain the spread of mosquito larvae.

“This year, we have reported a decline of 183 (mosquito) breeding grounds as compared to last year. We have so far conducted a survey of more than 7,000 houses, up from 6,761 houses surveyed last year. We are currently in the process of conducting anti-larval operation at several areas of the city,” Ram Prakash, epidemic in-charge, civil hospital, Gurgaon, said.

Officials said fumigation is being done across the city to contain the spread of dengue carriers. “We are also spreading public awareness on dengue and malaria. Recent rainfall has also made the city vulnerable to such diseases,” Prakash said.

Read I Gurgaon: Doctors raise dengue alert in city

However, health officials said that since the city has received less rainfall till now, there hasn’t been a spurt in dengue cases as yet.

Doctors have advised residents to take necessary precautions. “We have advised residents to not allow water to remain stagnant for more than a week, as it could then turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” BK Rajora, chief medical officer, civil hospital, said.

So far, the health department has reported 45 suspected cases of dengue and 11 confirmed cases of malaria. Last year, the city hit a four-year high in the number of dengue cases, with the district health department recording 401 cases.