Pune Health News | Dengue Cases on the Rise in Pune: Health Authorities on High Alert
Pune: Pune Health News | With the onset of the monsoon season, the city of Pune is witnessing a concerning surge in dengue cases. The Pune Municipal Health Department has reported 161 suspected dengue patients this month alone, out of which 12 have been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 633 suspected dengue cases have been detected, raising alarm bells for health authorities.
Assistant Health Officer Dr. Suryakant Devkar stated that the number of dengue patients started increasing from the start of July within the municipal limits. Regrettably, one patient has succumbed to the disease in the same month, marking the first dengue-related death of the year.
Furthermore, the health department has also identified a chikungunya patient, making it the third case of chikungunya reported this year.
To combat the spread of these vector-borne diseases, the Municipal Corporation has been actively issuing notices to residential and commercial establishments that may be potential breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. In July alone, 520 notices were issued, and a fine of Rs 46,600 was collected from non-compliant establishments. Throughout the year, 1,013 notices have been served, resulting in a total fine of Rs 1,39,700.
As the situation demands heightened vigilance, Sassoon Hospital has been receiving two to three suspected dengue patients daily. To confirm the diagnosis, these patients are being tested for NS-1 and IgM markers. If the test results are positive, their samples are further sent to the National Institute of Virology for RTPCR testing. So far this month, 91 samples have been sent for testing, with 7 to 8 cases of dengue confirmed.
Health authorities are urging citizens to take preventive measures against mosquito breeding and to report any symptoms of dengue or chikungunya promptly. Stagnant water, which serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, must be eliminated, and personal protection measures such as using mosquito repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothing are recommended.
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