One dies of dengue three others due to its suspected infection medical officer among 3 suspended

Gadchiroli, Aug 15 (PTI) One person died of dengue and three others due to this suspected fever in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district over the past few days, prompting the authorities to suspend one medical officer and two healthcare workers for not taking timely preventive measures, officials said.
Talking to PTI, a senior Gadchiroli district health official said a total of 117 people have tested positive for dengue in 10 to 12 villages in Mulchera taluka, where these four deaths occurred.
"The first death occurred on August 6, followed by three other patients succumbing on August 8, 11 and 13. Three of them died in a private hospital," he said.
"One of these patients had tested positive for dengue, while three others from private hospital were suspected cases," the official said.
These deaths took place in villages under Lagam primary healthcare centre in Mulchera.
"One medical officer and two healthcare workers were suspended for delay in taking preventive measures," he added.
According to him, the health department came to know about the dengue outbreak in Lagam area on August 7.
About 15 health department teams are currently conducting a survey in 25 villages to collect samples for suspected dengue and malaria cases, he said.
"A total of 666 suspected samples were collected and 117 persons have tested positive for the NS1 test in the villages in Lagam PHC area. Following this, four additional doctors, two lab technicians and 22 additional health workers have been assigned in this PHC now," the official said.
Preventive measures, like fogging, were being undertaken in the affected villages to destroy mosquitoes and larvae. Similarly, awareness activities and other necessary steps are also going on in these villages, he said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)