Dengue cases rise in Kharadi, PMC says no reason to panic

It has, however, been a harrowing time for several residents. “We are aware that it can be treated but any sign of fever and we rush to the laboratory to get our blood tested,” said Supriya, adding that another five-year-old from an adjoining building was also admitted to Columbia Asia hospital on Tuesday night.

Dr Pratibha Walde, consulting physician at Columbia Asia Hospital at Kharadi, said around 20 people had been admitted for dengue treatment. “Under my care there are five persons, mainly from Kharadi area,” said Dr Walde. Several have high fever with low platelets, she added.

Dr N D Thakur, assistant medical officer at the Pune Municipal Corporation and in-charge of the dengue control programme, said several awareness programmes had been held and warnings issued to more than 1,200 housing societies. “We have been consistently visiting each society, identifying breeding spots of the Aedes aegypti mosquito,” said Thakur, adding that cases were rising but there was no reason to panic.

“The situation is under control. Some areas come under the gram panchayat but we are helping them by fogging the area,” said Thakur. From January till July this year, a total of 30 cases have been confirmed by the National Institute of Virology, and there have been 120 suspected cases, he added. “Children at 343 schools, workers at 339 anganwadis and construction workers at 538 sites have been sensitised about dengue,” said Thakur.