Dengue cases reduce with fall in mercury.

With the dip in mercury, residents could heave a sigh of relief as the city hospitals are finally witnessing a reduction in number of dengue cases.

Though the aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread dengue, cannot breed in low temperature, doctors have asked residents to follow precautions and to not allow water to stagnate in and around their dwellings.

According to the figures provided by the health department, while 191 dengue cases were confirmed during November 11-17, 81 cases were confirmed between November 18 and 24.

Dr Navjot Singh, professor of medicine at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), said with the advent of winter, the cases had reduced up to 80% at the hospital. He expressed hope that dengue cases would be reported rarely in the next two weeks when the temperature would go down further.

District epidemiologist Dr Anil Verma said, "The life cycle of the aedes aegypti mosquitoes from egg till death is of one month. But due to fall in temperature, the breeding of these mosquitoes has almost ended."
Dr Verma said though the number of dengue cases had gone down, residents should make sure that water was not collecting in containers.

"The aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, and could still breed at room temperature. Therefore, residents should continue to take precautions," he added.
Meanwhile, seven new cases of dengue were confirmed from different city hospitals on Sunday. All patients are from Ludhiana district.

A total of 1,565 dengue cases have been reported since July. Of them, 977 patients belong to Ludhiana, 450 patients are from other districts and 138 patients are from other states.

According to Ludhiana health department, six dengue patients from Ludhiana have died so far. Besides, around 25 suspected dengue deaths were reported.