The 11 states reporting a more dangerous type of dengue have been asked by the Union government to take steps for early detection of cases, start fever helplines and stock adequate testing kits, larvicides and medicines, reported ND TV.
The states reporting serotype – II dengue cases are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, MP, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
During the high-level review meeting of the COVID-19 situation, the affected states were asked to deploy rapid response teams for the prompt investigation to the “emerging challenge” of Serotype-II Dengue, which is associated with more cases and more complications than other forms of the disease, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.
States were also requested to also undertake campaigns regarding helplines, methods of vector control, source reduction at homes and symptoms of dengue, reports ND TV.
Meanwhile, people in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad fled villages in droves to escape the spread of dengue fever and poor medical facilities.
So far, 10 families of Nagla Amaan village, where the first cases of viral fever were reported last month, have moved out following 12 deaths over the past three weeks. More than 200 residents in the village are still battling with fever but have no access to medical facilities as the government health center at the village is closed.
“Ten families with five to 10 members each have left the village. The situation is the same in nearby villages. Almost every family in the village has a member suffering from dengue-like fever but proper treatment facilities do not exist,” Anshu Yadav, a grocery shop owner at Nagla Amaan told the newspaper.
Satish Chand, a farmer in the village said people are pawning their jewelry and cattle to raise money for treatment at private hospitals as government hospitals are full.”
Veeresh Kumar, an elder citizen told TOI that people are dying without proper treatment in his village.
“Families are either leaving or sending their children away to protect them,” he said.
Viral fevers, including those caused by dengue, have killed more than 160 including 120 children and adolescents aged between six months and 17 years in about a month in Firozabad.
At least 15,000 people in Firozabad are now bedridden with a viral fever that has the district in its grip, sources say.
