Ranchi: The number of people infected with dengue and chikungunya is increasing alarmingly in Jharkhand. As of Friday evening, the number of dengue victims in the state has increased to around 1036.
In the last two months, at least a dozen patients have lost their lives due to dengue and its similar symptoms. The Health Department has sent the samples of patients who died with dengue-like symptoms for the ELISA test. The department says that the positivity rate of dengue in the state has reached 14 per cent. Dengue wards set up in government hospitals of the state are almost full.
The highest number of dengue cases is in Jamshedpur (East Singhbhum). A total of 5,469 samples have been tested in the district so far, of which 659 have been found positive for dengue. Currently, 290 patients are being treated in different hospitals in the city. Nine of them are in critical condition and have been admitted to the ICU. At the same time, 281 patients are being treated in general wards.
At least ten patients have died due to dengue-like symptoms in this district. However, the health department is not officially confirming so many deaths.
Similarly, in Ranchi, more than 150 dengue patients are being treated in RIMS, Sadar Hospital and other private hospitals. On Wednesday, a child died in Hazaribagh district and an 11-year-old boy died in Jamshedpur due to dengue-like symptoms.
About 150 patients suffering from symptoms like dengue and chikungunya are being treated in Sahibganj. At least 45 patients in Dhanbad, 40 in Saraikela, and 15 in Hazaribagh have been admitted to hospitals for treatment. According to RIMS superintendent Dr Hirendra Birua, the pressure on the hospital has increased due to the increasing number of patients suffering from dengue.
Additional Secretary of the Health Department Arun Kumar Singh has said that the Deputy Commissioner of the district should take all necessary measures to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Instructions have been sent to the Deputy Commissioners and Civil Surgeons of the districts regarding this. It has been said to conduct a fever survey in every area. District authorities have been told to send surveillance teams to areas where mosquito-borne patients are reported. A house-to-house fever survey has been asked to check the active cases of mosquito-borne diseases in the area.