Noida goes from 0 to 13 dengue cases in just 3 days, lens on scrub typhus too

NOIDA: Though Gautam Budh Nagar recorded its first two dengue cases just three days ago, the district has added 11 more cases in just two days.
The health department is now also monitoring any suspected scrub typhus and leptospirosis cases. ICMR reports had earlier confirmed that the ‘mystery fever’ cases that led to over 100 deaths in Mathura, Firozabad and Mainpuri were cases of dengue, scrub typhus and leptospirosis.
Officials said that while all preventive steps are being taken, fogging drives have also been increased in the district. “We held a meeting with all departments and apart from the authorities, the nagar panchayat and other departments have also been told to ensure hygiene and regular sanitation. Anti-larvae spraying and clearing of shrubs around inhabited areas are also being done,” said Suhas LY, district magistrate.
Officials said that compared to other districts in the state, the dengue cases have remained low in GB Nagar so far because of better sanitation and less waterlogging issues.
“There are hardly any areas in Noida where waterlogging is a major problem. So, rainwater keeps draining out. Regular fogging drives are also going on. All teams that were involved for sanitisation during Covid have now been diverted to fogging,” said Rajesh Sharma, district malaria officer.
He added that even during the fever surveillance it has been seen that the general hygiene in the district has increased following the Covid surge. This may be one of the reasons for fewer cases in the district.
Meanwhile, the three scrub typhus patients of the district have all been treated and discharged. No new suspected cases were found during the surveillance as well. Malaria cases till the end of August were 23 and fresh cases will be added by the end of September.
With rainfall predicted for the rest of the week, officials say that people need to be very careful so that clean water does not collect near homes in places such as pots, coolers, bird feeding trays in balconies, discarded tyres or thermocol cups.