205 dengue cases in upmarket Gurgaon
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26/08/2008
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Asian Age (New Delhi)
CHANDIGARH
A team of the Haryana health department has reported that a majority of the 205 cases of dengue in Gurgaon pertain to patients living in New Gurgaon and other upmarket localities. Not a single instance has been reported from Old Gurgaon's Jacubpura area, which is known to have a lot of accumulated dirt and filth, or from any other slum.
The three-member team, tasked with advising the district administration on measures to control the outbreak and curb spread of the disease to fresh localities, said, "The Aedis mosquito that is responsible for spreading dengue is known to breed in clean standing water.' District malaria officer Krishan Kumar said the outbreak of the disease in Gurgaon can be directly traced to desert coolers and flower pots. "People with busy work schedules usually rely on their domestic help to clean and dry out coolers and this often leads to problems,' he said.
Of the 303 suspected cases reported this season, 205 have been confirmed as dengue. Two patients succumbed to the disease though most others have been discharged after treatment. As many as 32 are still admitted to various hospitals in the NCR.
The health department has deployed six door-to-door teams to monitor water accumulations and educate residents about the causes and perils of dengue. The department is also carrying out fogging operations in localities where dengue cases have been reported.