Special force to check rising dengue cases

After weeks of denial regarding the dengue outbreak in Gurgaon, the administration has finally woken up and constituted a rapid action force (RAF) to curb the mosquito-borne disease.

After weeks of denial regarding the dengue outbreak in Gurgaon, the administration has finally woken up and constituted a rapid action force (RAF) to curb the mosquito-borne disease.

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Among dengue positive cases reported in Haryana, Gurgaon tops the tally with a total of 415 patients.

Addressing a national workshop on homoeopathy in cardiology in New Delhi on Saturday, Haryana health minister Rao Narender Singh said the RAF will work in full swing to fight rising number of dengue cases.

The three-member team will consist of a malaria worker, an entomologist and an epidemiologist. While an entomologist is a zoologist who focuses on insects, an epidemiologist investigates the causes of disease and other public health problems.

According to the plan of action, once a dengue case is reported from a particular locality, the RAF will check for mosquito breeding spots in the area and conduct fogging covering 50 houses surrounding the victim's residence.

Deputy commissioners of each district have also been directed to keep a regular tab on the exercise.

"Seventy per cent of dengue cases in the state have been reported from Gurgaon," said Dr Satvir Chaudhry, director health services for malaria and dengue.