60 deaths due to seasonal diseases this year in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Sep 20 (PTI) Swine flu, dengue and other seasonaldiseases have claimed over 60 lives in different parts ofRajasthan even as authorities claim the situation is undercontrol. A total of 14 deaths have occurred due to swine flu whilescrub typhus has claimed 14 lives. Dengue has also caused sixdeaths this year, Director (Public Health) Medical and HealthDepartment B R Meena told PTI. He said a maximum of 4,839 cases of malaria were reportedthis year which was followed by 588 reported cases of denguein which six deaths have occurred. The number of chikungunya cases were 122. A total of 325people suffered from scrub typhus and 14 of them have died, hesaid. Jaipur, Dausa, Alwar and Bharatpur are among the 14districts which are affected by the infectious mite-bornedisease of scrub typhus. Meena said the situation of seasonal diseases is undercontrol as compared to last year as all the necessary stepshave been taken up. "Last year, 1,010 cases of dengue were reported and threedeaths occurred whereas only nine cases of chinkungunya werereported. The total number of malaria patients were 5,392 while6,708 people were tested positive of swine flue and 438 ofthem had died," he said. The officer said that all the necessary measures havebeen taken up and tests for chikungunya and scrub typhus havebeen made free in the government medical colleges andassociated hospitals. "We have deputed 15 extra doctors in SMS hospital.Instead of one unit, two outdoor units for seasonal diseasesare working in the hospital. "Timings of dispensaries across the state have also beenextended by two hours per day. Stock of medicines has alsobeen ensured," he informed. PTI SDA MNG RTMNG