5 dengue cases reported in Varanasi

Varanasi, Oct 4 (UNI) A local private hospital has reported five cases of dengue fever during a week, including that of a foreign tourist.

Medical Superintendent of Heritage Hospital Brigadier P S R Aiyyar told newspersons here today five patients had last week tested positive for dengue and are at present undergoing treatment at a separate ward.

Of the five cases, three belong to Varanasi and one is from Noida, while one tourist from England is also suffering from the disease, he added.

The hospital administration has informed the state health department about the five cases, Brig Aiyyar said.

Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) A P Singh said claims of the hospital could be corroborated only after the re-examination of the five patients by government doctors, which will be done soon.

He said in the wake of dengue cases and deaths in western UP, a dengue alert had been sounded in this district, with three government hospitals -- district hospital, Ramnagar hospital and Deendayal Upadhayaya hospital -- reserving 10 beds each for dengue cases.

Dr Singh said blood component units of both Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) blood bank have sufficient stock of platelets for dengue patients.

The Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) has also been asked to ensure the vector-borne disease does not breed in the city, through regular spraying of disinfectant.

Municipal Commissioner A K Vajpayee told UNI the spraying of disinfectant was underway and soon the practice of fogging will also be started to keep the dangerous disease at bay.

UNI ARS LS HT1608