LUCKNOW: At least 12 people have tested positive for dengue in the last 48 hours, and 70 further suspected cases have not yet been reported.

Hospitals have been urged to remain vigilant and make adequate preparations for treating dengue patients by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.

Pathak, who is also in charge of the health portfolio, has urged the district-level chief medical officers to make sure that all hospitals have the necessary resources to treat fever cases. "Dengue patients should even be admitted to separate wards at community and primary health centres. For the state's government hospitals, new equipment is being brought, and patients will also have access to single donor platelet therapy. In the state, divisional level hospitals are setting up apheresis units "In a statement, he said.

Due to water stagnation caused by rain in numerous areas of the district, experts have cautioned that the potential of dengue has increased.

According to King George's Medical University senior professor Prof. Kauser Usman, "the next 10 days are significant as far as dengue is concerned since cases may climb considerably."  Lucknow district health education officer Yogesh Raghuvanshi mentieoned that "the state capital has reported a total 159 dengue cases since January this year.

"Authorities will do their part, but every house owner should make sure there is nothing like standing water outside or inside the home, in the balcony, flowerpots, or unwanted objects like old tyres, kitchenware, or anything similar. We can prevent mosquito bites and dengue by getting rid of stagnant water, which serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes "said Dr. Abhishek Shukla, the association of international doctors' secretary general.

"The number of fever patients going to hospital has gone up in the last week, and it's probable it may grow higher in the following week," said a senior doctor working at a government hospital.

Shukla advised that self-medication in case of high fever should be eliminated and  proper medical advice should be taken."High fever might be due to dengue or any other viral infection. Therefore, it is significant to diagnose it for a speedy recovery," he added.

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