Jammu and Kashmir Congress says dengue situation in state alarming, demands immediate action

The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Sunday termed the dengue situation in the state "alarming" and asked the government to immediately take all measures to save lives.

According to official reports, over 1,300 people were screened for dengue in the state since July, out of which tests of 248 were positive while 310 reports were still awaited.

In addition, three people died of swine flu in the last two months, official reports stated.

"The (dengue) situation is very alarming than what is being reported in the media.

"The disease has spread in various parts of the city and other areas of Jammu region, but the authorities are in deep slumber and adequate measures have not been taken so far to check its spread and deal with the situation," state Congress' chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said in a press release.

He accused the state health department of being "callous" in dealing with the "alarming situation".

"The government need to wake up and immediately understand the gravity of the situation and take all measures required in this regard to save human lives," Sharma said, and alleged that "no serious efforts are being made, in this regard."

"A large number of patients are being referred to Ludhiana, Amritsar and various other private hospitals outside the state," he claimed.