After surge in cases, SKIMS To offer Facilities for Dengue Testing in Kashmir.

Following a sudden surge of dengue cases in Kashmir, SKIMS Soura stated that it has facilities for the detection of the viral infection in the valley.

The Directorate of Health Services on Friday issued a statement that it was exploring the options to start Dengue testing facilities available in its hospitals. SKIMS Soura today announced that it was well equipped to detect the viral infection.

Head department of Microbiology at SKIMS Soura, Dr Bashir Ahmed Fomda said the Institute had the infrastructure for Dengue, Chikanguniya and Zika virus testing with ELISA, PCR and Rapid Kits too.

“We have communicated this to Director Health Services Kashmir and Epidemiologist J&K,” he said. The Health Services had said that it would tie up with private laboratories to expedite detection of cases in absence of a laboratory in the Government sector.

Epidemiologist J&K, Dr Talat Ghani said that most of the patients with dengue in Kashmir were admitted to SKIMS Medical College Hospital and authorities were “better informed” about SKIMS Soura testing facilities.

51 people were found to be infected with Dengue virus in Jammu division on Saturday, bringing the cumulative tally of the vector-borne disease in the division to 1131, and cumulative of J&K to 1150.

In addition, 21 people in the Kashmir division, all having a history of travel outside of the division, have been found to have Dengue, taking the cumulative count of cases in J&K to 1050. Most of the infected cases are adults, while 69 are under 15 years of age.