Dengue cases begin to decline in J&K

Jammu, Oct 10: There has been a weekly decline in the cases of dengue infection in Jammu and Kashmir.
As per State Malariologist, Dr. Harjeet Rai, total 2463 people have been infected with the virus in the Union Territory thus far.
“Of them, 2123 people have been confirmed positive from Jammu district alone,” he said, adding, “the highest number of infections have been reported from Rehari, Janipur, Paloura, and Sarwal areas of the district”.
Dr Rai, however, said that the weekly figures of the viral infection are not worrying at all.
“During mid-September, the highest number of patients infected with the dengue virus was 650 but ending first week of the October, the number had fallen to 530,” Dr Rai further said.
Former State Malariologist Dr. Rita Kotwal said that by November, there will be a considerable decline in the number of overall infections.
According to her, the monsoon was delayed last year and this was the reason infections were reported even in the month of November as the vector grows in stagnant water.
“But this year, the monsoon arrived on time. So, the temperature is expected to fall by several degrees by November this year, hence lesser cases of the viral infection,” she hoped.
Dr. Harjeet Rai, the current Malariologist, said that the average temperature in Jammu district is measured 25-26 degree Celsius in the second week of the October.
“If it rains, there are chances of further increase in the cases of dengue but if doesn’t, the cases will decline by November,” he added.