Lucknow, 08 Sept (HS): The state of Uttar Pradesh has seen an increase in dengue incidence. Since May 15, a total of 2,462 people have been diagnosed with the viral illness, with more than half of them diagnosed during the previous 25 days. Eight new dengue cases were recorded in Lucknow, bringing the total to 138, ten of which are from the same neighborhood. The health department and Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) in all UP districts are on high alert, and preparations are being made at hospitals for medications and dengue testing. The fees for dengue testing and platelet readings have been set by CMOs across the state. Separate wards will also be set up at hospitals across all districts for dengue patients.
The situation is under control, stated State Surveillance Officer Dr. Vikasendu Agarwal, and all necessary additional safety measures are already in place. The bite of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito causes dengue. It is distinguished by a high temperature, severe headache, and eye discomfort. Red rashes arise on the body as well. The Uttar Pradesh health department has recommended residents to discard any old items and to use mosquito nets.
This year, a total of 3354 dengue cases have been reported, with four official deaths, three in Bulandshahr and one in Firozabad. This year, Gautambudh Nagar 403, Ghaziabad 310, and Kanpur 210 had the most instances, followed by Meerut 174, Morabadad 114, and Varanasi 84.
In Kanpur, 12 new dengue cases have been detected in the previous 24 hours, with nine patients being admitted to the intensive care unit. Kanpur has 210 active dengue cases.
In Lucknow, the NS1 ELISA test costs Rs 1,200 at a lab and Rs 1,400 if the sample is given at home. With new rules, the price of dengue tests has been reduced to Rs 1000, while platelet count tests in the lab have been set at Rs 250, and platelet testing at home will cost Rs 350. The pricing set by the UP administration will prohibit private companies from raising testing costs in the midst of the state’s dengue outbreak.
Furthermore, the health department has advised households to remove unwanted things from rooftops and balconies, drain water from cooler tanks when not in use, and sleep with mosquito nets. The department is fully equipped with testing, said Dr Deepa Tyagi, DG of Health Uttar Pradesh. If there is any level 2 testing, that should be completed at the nodal center. The department is on high alert, and any scenario will be dealt with.
Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav, the head of the Samajwadi Party, blasted the Yogi Adityanath-led administration, claiming that the hospitals were inadequately equipped. He noted the spike in dengue cases in UP and stated that the state’s hospitals were running low on both physicians and essential medicines.
Hindusthan Samachar/Abhishek Awasthi
