Over 35,000 dengue cases reported this year, 216 dead

A mid-term plan is being implemented across the country for prevention and control of the disease, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Abu Hasem Khan Choudhary said in a written reply.

He also informed the House on the number dengue deaths in metro cities including Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Till November, the highest number of nine deaths have been reported from Kolkata, followed by four each in Delhi and Bangalore. Three people succumbed to dengue in Mumbai.

Asked whether the spread of the disease is increasing every year, Khan said, "No. Dengue is an outbreak-prone disease governed by various man-made and environmental factors which are responsible for increase and geographical spread of dengue cases."

On steps taken by the government to control its spread, he said a mid-term plan-approved by the Committee of Secretaries- is being implemented across the country for prevention and control of dengue.

National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NCBDCP) is the main programme in the country for prevention and control of vector borne diseases including dengue.

On strategy to diagnose dengue in its primary stage, he said, "Government has established sentinel surveillance centres at 347 hospitals with laboratory support and linked these with 14 Apex Referral Laboratories with advanced diagnostic facilities for back up support."