Ludhiana district is the worst affected in Punjab when it comes to dengue cases. Of the total 1,152 cases reported in the state till Thursday, the district alone has reported 283 cases.
According to the data compiled by the state health department, this year the state witnessed a major dengue breakout. There are 1,152 cases confirmed after the Immunoglobulin M (IgM) test, which the National Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) recognises as confirmed dengue cases. The state health department offers the dengue testing facility in 15 hospitals in the state. It is being done free of cost.
This year, so far three people have succumbed to dengue in the state. Last year, there was no such casuality. Last year, 770 cases of dengue were reported in the state.
Patiala district with 264 cases is close behind Ludhiana. The other worst affected districts are Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur.
The reason behind the current outbreak, experts say, is the cyclic pattern of dengue outbreak in the state. "We have noticed that dengue outbreak happens every alternate year," said Dr Deepak Bhatia, state nodal officer, IDSP.
According to experts, symptoms of dengue include fever accompanied by severe headache, muscle and joint pains and rashes. Dengue is also characterised by abdominal pain, persistent vomiting and difficulty in breathing. High-risk patients include children, the elderly, pregnant women and immuno-compromised.
{{/usCountry}}According to experts, symptoms of dengue include fever accompanied by severe headache, muscle and joint pains and rashes. Dengue is also characterised by abdominal pain, persistent vomiting and difficulty in breathing. High-risk patients include children, the elderly, pregnant women and immuno-compromised.
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