Insisting that dengue is on its way out, state health officials on Saturday urged patients to not panic. The assurance comes after patients — mistaking simple viral fever to be dengue or H1N1 influenza — were seen queuing up at screening clinics.

Health experts maintain that neighbourhood doctors play an important role.

“A family doctor has to ask the basic questions and connect the dots to find out how the patient could have been infected. This is mainly for H1N1 screening, but it takes the load off secondary hospitals and saves the family much anguish. Credit should be given to the neighbourhood doctors for taking up this responsibly,” said Dr Amit Banerjee, Medical Superintendent of Lok Nayak Hospital.

While dengue viral fever has peaked in the past month, officials say that there is no reason to panic. “The numbers are fewer than the past years, when we had full blown outbreaks. We live in a place which is endemic to dengue and cases are bound to come. It is just a matter of 2 to 3 weeks more. As winter sets in, dengue-causing mosquitoes will no longer be able to breed. In another 10 days, dengue cases will decrease,” said Dr N K Yadav, Municipal Health Officer, MCD.

So far 352 dengue cases and two deaths have been reported in the city. For everyone down with fever or symptoms like sore throat or body ache, doctors say a general physician must be consulted.

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