The health department has issued new guidelines requiring all hospitals, clinics, and laboratories to conduct the ELISA test for confirming dengue cases. This change is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Dependence on Platelet Counts
Traditionally, health institutions have relied on platelet counts to identify dengue. Normally, a healthy platelet counts ranges between 1.5 to 4 lacs. In dengue cases, the platelet count often drops below 1.5 lacs. However, district epidemiologist Dr. Sheetal emphasized that low platelets alone should not be used to confirm dengue. “While dengue causes the platelets to fall under 1.5 lacs, platelets below 1.5 lacs aren’t a confirmation of dengue in itself. So a simple CBC test is not enough to confirm dengue,” she said.
ELISA Test Now Mandatory
To avoid misdiagnosis, the health department has instructed all private hospitals, clinics, and laboratories not to declare anyone dengue positive without performing the ELISA test. “We have asked all private hospitals, clinics, and laboratories to not declare anyone dengue positive before conducting the ELISA test,” Dr. Sheetal added.
As of this year, the district has recorded 37 dengue cases.
Cost Regulation and Dengue Wards
Private healthcare facilities have also been directed not to charge more than ₹600 for the ELISA test. In response to the increasing number of dengue cases, both private and government hospitals have been asked to prepare separate dengue wards. Government hospitals, including the civil hospital and sub-divisional hospitals, have already prepared 13 such wards with a total of 97 beds. Private hospitals are also arranging similar wards.
Mosquito Control Measures
The local administration is taking proactive steps to control mosquito populations in rural areas. They plan to release gambusia fish, known for eating mosquito larvae, into water bodies. Deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney has instructed block development and panchayat officers (BDPOs) to identify open water bodies in their areas and coordinate with the health department for this initiative.
Ludhiana civil surgeon Dr. Jasbir Singh Aulakh shared, “We have procured the gambusia fish for dengue and malaria prevention. So far we have released this fish in 80-85 water bodies in the district.”
Gambusia fish, despite its small size, is highly effective in controlling mosquito populations as it consumes larvae rapidly and breeds quickly.