Spurt in dengue cases in Kanpur, 250 policemen among affected

Kanpur: There is a spurt in dengue cases in the city with 769 people including 250 police personnel having tested positive for the vector-borne disease.

However, the authorities maintain that there is no need to panic and all arrangements are being made to prevent breeding of mosquitoes and check the spread of the disease.

Hospitals are getting nearly 100 patients daily.

According to the Health Department, around 2,026 suspected cases of dengue have been reported, out of which 769 persons have been tested positive. Of these, 697 are still undergoing treatment in hospitals.

"Around 250 police personnel are undergoing treatment for viral fever and dengue in Kanpur, these include station incharges and constables," Kanpur SSP Shalabh Mathur said.

He expressed concern over the ill health of the police officials especially as the force was preparing arrangements for a test match between India and New Zealand's cricket teams on September 22 here.

"Police officials from other districts will be called to Kanpur to maintain law and order during the match. Provincial Armed Constabulary and central security forces will also be deployed," Mathur said.

Orders for fogging have been given in the residential areas for policemen and the Kanpur Police has even arranged its own fogging machine, he said.

The SSP said the police officials have also been asked to keep their homes and nearby areas clean.

However, health officials, when contacted about the rising dengue cases in the city, said they are holding meetings to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, Kanpur CMO R P Yadav claimed the patients in the city are being treated and efforts are being made to check breeding to mosquitoes.

"There is no need to panic, all is well," he said.