33 surveillance labs and two apex labs with advanced diagnostic facilities are adequately equipped to undertake dengue tests
With onset of monsoon season, the threat of mosquito-borne disease dengue loom large across Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), Union Health Minister JP Nadda chaired a meeting with Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain in New Delhi to review the preparedness for prevention and control of dengue.
“The Government has taken all necessary steps to prevent and combat dengue in the upcoming monsoon season. The ministry has already issued various advisories to the state governments for its prevention and control,” the minister said in a statement.
Assuring all necessary help to Delhi government, the minister informed that 33 surveillance labs and two apex labs with advanced diagnostic facilities are adequately equipped to undertake dengue tests. The state governments have been advised to ensure price capping on dengue testing.
Emphasising that community participation and empowerment are the most crucial areas in dengue prevention, Nadda urged all the stakeholders to start rigorous awareness campaigns regarding the preventive steps to be taken by people and communities.
According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVDCP), dengue claimed at least 220 lives in 2015 pan-India, out of which Delhi ranked first with 60 deaths and the year saw 9,9913 cases of dengue, out of which 15,867 were recorded in Delhi alone.
This year with the onset of monsoon, 39 dengue cases have been reported in the national capital so far. While 15 cases of dengue were reported in June, 24 cases have been reported in the first 10 days of July.
Dengue fever is a communicable disease and its symptoms include high fever for four to five days, usually accompanied by severe headache, pain in the eyes, muscle and joint pain and rashes.