322 dengue, 6,695 malaria cases reported in Haryana

Chandigarh, Sep 16 (PTI) As many as 322 dengue cases and6,695 cases of malaria have been reported in Haryana thisseason, a senior health official said today. The Health Department is fully alert and prepared to checkthe spread of vector-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunyaand malaria, Director (Malaria) Dr Vijay Garg said. He said so far 322 cases of dengue have been reported inthe state of which 26 patients have been admitted to hospitalsand 201 have been discharged after treatment. Besides, 95patients are undergoing treatment in OPDs. Garg said 6,695 cases of malaria have also been reportedin the state of which 4,409 have come from Mewat. Nine cases of chikungunya have been reported so far, headded. Meanwhile, Health Minister Anil Vij has directed theofficers concerned to complete fogging drive in the statewithin next ten days to effectively check the spread ofvector-borne diseases. Vij, who was presiding over a meeting to review themeasures being taken for checking the spread of dengue andmalaria in the state, reprimanded the officers "for notcarrying out the work in a time bound manner". He urged the people to observe Sunday as ‘drying day’ bycleaning utensils and coolers to check breeding of mosquitoes. Vij directed the officers to make available facilities andkits for detection of dengue in all districts. He directed officials to maintain vigil on privatehospitals so that they do not charge more than prescribedrates for conducting ‘ELISA’ test. Besides, he also asked themto ensure that dengue test results were confirmed by thelaboratories of state-run district hospitals. PTI SUN GS AQSSMNAQS