According to SMS Hospital officials, the boy was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for the past few days. But, he succumbed to the disease while undergoing treatment.
However, Health Department officials claimed that they have not received any such report of death due to dengue. The department counts only those cases as dengue deaths that have tested positive in ELISA tests. Those who test positive for dengue through rapid card test are not taken into account as dengue cases.
There have been cases that have reported symptoms of dengue, but shown negative in ELISA tests. Doctors have termed such cases as dengue like illness. Recently, some cases of the extreme dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) have also been reported.
So far, over 2,100 persons have already tested positive for dengue this year. “We are vigilant about dengue. Many cases have been reported. It is the ideal season for mosquito breeding. We are conducting anti-larvae activities and other measures as per norms to prevent mosquito breeding,” said Dr V K Mathur, director, health department.
Dr Mathur said that instructions have already been given to all chief medical health officers to remain in touch with private hospitals to get the actual number of patients coming to different hospitals suffering from dengue and other vector-borne diseases.
Last year, the state witnessed an outbreak of dengue that led to the deaths of 16 patients, with 5,292 persons testing positive, according to a report by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.
The report also pointed out that, in 2016, the state had reported the worst outbreak of chikungunya over the last six years.
Now, since the season is conducive for breeding of mosquitoes, the health department is taking all possible measures to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases. The department has instructed its officials to remain on alert for mosquito-borne diseases.
Source : timesofindia
