Even as 19 cases of dengue have been reported from the Jammu region in the last one month, the Health Department has claimed that the situation was under control and appealed to people not to get panicked.
Two more cases of the vector borne disease have been detected in the region in the last three days, taking the total count of dengue patients to 19.
The Health Department has so far tested 167 samples from different parts of the Jammu region out of which 19 have tested positive, an official said, adding that the numbers were not alarming.
“As compared to the situation in 2013 and the number of positive cases being diagnosed in Punjab and New Delhi, I cannot call it an alarming situation. People should not get panic. We are on the job and the situation is under control,” said Director, Health Services, Jammu, Dr BS Pathania.
“We are taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of dengue in Jammu,” he said, adding that measures were being taken at personal, household, community and departmental level to fight the disease.
Dr Pathania said the main cause of dengue was stagnant water and the department was spreading awareness among the masses to prevent stagnation of water.
The department has also sensitised its staff and Asha workers to combat the disease.Meanwhile, the Jammu Municipal Corporation has completed first round of fumigation in the city. The second round is scheduled to begin tomorrow.
“The first round of fogging has been done in the city and the second round will start from tomorrow. The process of fogging will continue till the risk of dengue prevails in the city,” said Dr Pathania.
The Health Department has also released anti-larva fishes in still water bodies, like ponds, in urban as well as rural areas to prevent the spread of mosquitoes.