The number of dengue cases recorded in Gujarat in 2024 have reduced compared to 2023, said a statement by the health department on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the state government had increased serum sample testing in large numbers as a precaution as soon as the monsoon season ended.
In 2023, a total of 1,49,844 serum samples were taken for dengue diagnosis, out of which 7,088 tested positive, taking the seropositivity rate to 4.7%.
In 2024, 2,21,358 samples were taken, out of which 7,820 were found to be positive, taking the seropositivity rate to 3.5%. Seropositivity indicates the presence of pathogen in the blood sample.
This year, 1,700 kits of dengue NS1 type i.e. 1,63,200 tests were purchased by the state government for rapid diagnosis of dengue and supplied to the diagnostic centers.
In addition, 611 Dengue IGM kits (58,656 tests) received from the Government of India were also allocated to the diagnostic centres.The NS1 tests detect the presence of the nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen in the blood, while IGM kits detect the presence of IgM antibodies in the blood.
Three rounds of house-to-house fever survey, anti-larval activities and publicity work were carried out under a health campaign during April, May and September, covering 86%, 89% and 92% of the population of the state respectively.
During the monsoon season, 492 vector control teams comprising 2,460 people carried out disease surveys and intensive pest control operations in sensitive areas.
A continuous decline in dengue cases has been recorded in the state during the 47th to 51st week and there has been a significant decline in dengue cases in 2024 compared to the year 2023 during the 50th and 51st weeks, according to the state government.
Further, the state said that 1,139 specialists in the state were trained on “Clinical Management of Dengue”.
To know the type of virus, serum samples and mosquitoes were sent to BJ Medical College and Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) Gandhinagar for serotype determination. And according to its results, disease prevention and control operations were planned and implemented.
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