Indo-Asian News Service, October 24, 2006
Bhopal, Oct 24 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Tuesday reported seven more cases of dengue fever that has so far claimed three lives in the state.
“Of the 13 blood samples sent to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) on Oct 14, seven samples have tested positive. Of these, one case is in Bhopal and the remaining in Gwalior,” a health official said.
The official, however, denied any dengue death in the state, though private clinics in the state capital had reported three such deaths in recent weeks.
“There has been no death due to dengue in the state. In all, around 18 suspected patients have been admitted to hospitals in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur,” said the state’s Health Commissioner Rajesh Rajora.
“The Health Department had taken all preventive and curative steps before the official confirmation of dengue,” he said.
Malaria control rooms were set up at district and village levels, while cleanliness and awareness drive was also being carried out on a war footing across the state, Rajora added.
Dengue fever is caused by a virus spread by the female of Aedes Egyptis mosquito that breeds in stagnant waters.
Anti-vector and anti-larvae activities were taken up in 1,200 villages identified with high mosquito density, five million awareness pamphlets were distributed and mass awareness campaigns were being organised at village councils, schools and colleges.
A rapid mass fever survey was also being carried out in villages reporting high cases of fever, Rajora said.
Enough medicines were available with government health centres to tackle the disease, he said.

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