Eighty new cases of dengue were reported in the Phuntsholing hospital on Wednesday bringing the total number of dengue cases to 3,389 in the country. Officials at the health conference in Tsirang said if the Phuntsholing hospital had reported to the Ministry immediately after the first suspected case, it would have helped in controlling the dengue outbreak.
Towards the end of May this year Phuntsholing hospital was managing the suspected dengue cases. The Vector-borne Disease Control Program received the informal information of the dengue case only on July 16. Immediately then the medical team in Phuntsholing was instructed to initiate fogging in high-risk areas, deployed entomologists for vector surveillance, source reduction and awareness. The Vector-borne Disease Control Program also mobilised machine and manpower from other districts to have larger coverage but it was too late.
“The case would not have been high if we receive the report on time. Although the Phuentshogling hospital did everything for the treatment of the patients, they reported on the issue late, as we have a system of reporting. Because of it, the ministry couldn’t intervene on time leading to quite uncontrolled cases,” Rixin Dorji, the Chief Program Officer of Communicable Disease Division, said.
Meanwhile, some of the patients came to the hospital late as well with dengue symptoms, which the officials say, are risky.
“From the record six patients deaths from dengue, most of them report to the hospital late. Most were also associated with other diseases. If the condition is associated with other medical issues then it is very easy for dengue to give complication. My message is that if there are any symptoms of dengue people should visit our nearby hospital,” RixinDorji added
According to experts the dengue season starts from June and goes till October, therefore July and October are peak dengue season. So the Vector-borne Disease Control Program urges the people to be cautious while visiting the high-risk areas.
Meanwhile, the communicable disease division confirmed the dengue outbreak in Doksum, Trashiyangtse being contained.
Namgay Wangchuk
