Malaria count dips in Zirakpur

Zirakpur, August 25

The medicine OPD at the Community Health Centre (CHC), Dhakoli, has been visited by a large number of patients suffering from viral fever this year. Of the total 3,517 patients tested at the hospital laboratory from March 1 to August 25, only 19 were tested positive for malaria. A majority of malaria patients were migrants, said sources.

Health Department officials claimed that owing to an extensive door-to-door awareness drive, the number of malaria patients had reduced this year. Last year, as many as 30 patients were tested positive for malaria. Pommy Chathrath, SMO, Dhakoli, said, “The peak season for the spread of malaria is from July to September. We are pursuing active and passive surveillance to minimise the malaria risk. We have carried out door-to-door checks besides pursuing suspected patients and those with malaria history.”

Meanwhile, seven cases of dengue have been reported from Zirakpur. The number of dengue cases is comparatively lower than the last year.

One confirmed case of cholera has also been reported. An 18-year-old girl, a resident of Green Enclave, Zirakpur, was admitted to Alchemist Hospital on August 19. Her condition deteriorated next day, after which she was admitted to a private hospital in Panchkula, where she was tested positive for cholera.

The Health Department has sent a team to take stock of the situation at Green Enclave, Zirakpur. “We have visited the area and distributed chlorine tablets. People have been advised to take precautions,” said a doctor from the CHC, Dhakoli. — OC