Two more cases of dengue in Chandigarh, health dept intensifies surveillance

The two fresh cases have happened in Daria and Maloya area, said officials. According to health officials, during a house-to-house survey in a bid to check stagnant water points and mosquitogenic conditions in the city, more than one lakh houses have been checked during the special drive in the city.

“It is still going on and we have so far issued 1500 notices and also 12 challans against the offenders,” said a health official.

He further said that more focus is being given on those areas which are prone to mosquito genic conditions in the city.

“We are also giving special focus to the engineering institutions including PEC, PU and others. Other than this, several hospitals including PGI too have been included in the list. These places are more prone to dengue as a large number of people live inside these premises and keeping a check on these areas could help us control the spread,” said the official.

The number of dengue cases reported so far this year is four. In 2015, the number was 985 which was highest since 2011. In a bid to make challaning more stronger, the health department also proposed to increase the amount of the challans from existing Rs 500 to Rs 5000 for those who violate the city’s civic norms in the city.

The department issued directions to put a cap of Rs 600 for diagnosis of dengue at the private sector labs in the city.

Health officials said that the city residents can call on the 24×7 helpline to report if they are also satisfied with the services of the health department.