MEERUT: With 32 fresh cases reported on Thursday, the dengue cases reached 981 in Meerut. According to the health department, the number of dengue cases has been the highest since 2016.
Doctors say prolonged monsoon is the reason for the rise as waterlogged areas have become an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. The hospitals are also flooded with dengue patients and in the medical college, the authorities have placed beds even outside the ward.
According to the health department, the city reported 210 cases of dengue in 2016 followed by 660 in 2017 and 153 in 2018. In 2019, 207 dengue cases were reported in Meerut while in 2020, barely 35 cases of the disease spread by mosquito bites, were reported here.
“This year, we received the first dengue patient for the ongoing season on August 18. Now, the cases have risen to 981,” said Dr Ashok Taliyan, divisional surveillance officer.
Commenting on the reason for the spurt, the DSO said the weather is responsible for vector-borne disease which is common at this time of the year.
“We try to clear the choked area where water stagnation exists, but the rains occur again. The excess moisture in the air is also a breeding ground for several insects that cause different diseases,” he added.
The fever and dengue cases are such in the city that OPDs of almost every government and private hospital are flooded with patients. The doctors are also advising the patients not to take viral fever lightly and ensure that they take medication only after consulting them.
“We are in touch with the civic body and continuous fogging is being done to ensure no larva breeding takes place in residential areas. All hospitals have been put on alert to tackle fever, dengue and malaria cases,” said chief medical officer, Meerut, Dr Akhilesh Mohan.
