Dengue: J-K govt makes ELISA test mandatory

Amid increasing cases of dengue in the state, the Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered only ELISA test using the kit provided by National Institute of Virology (NIV) for early detection of the fever, and banned the commonly preferred rapid serology test.
"The health department has banned the rapid serology test for diagnosis of dengue and has recommended only the NIV kit, commonly called the ELISA test for detection of 1gM for confirming dengue fever", a spokesperson today said.
According to the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, the rapid test (NS1) has been banned as the test gives wrong results and are not reliable.

All the clinics and hospitals have been directed not to conduct such tests, the official added.
Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and Block Medical Officers (BMOs) have been directed to ensure that the ban is implemented in their respective areas, and action is taken against those found violating the order.
Till yesterday, a total of 364 dengue cases were reported from various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, with 168 of them surfacing in the border district of Samba only.