The UP state capital is experiencing a sudden increase in dengue cases, with 8 new cases reported on Thursday, bringing the monthly total to 138. This surge in dengue cases is primarily linked to a change in weather patterns, characterized by increased rainfall, leading to the accumulation of stagnant water and a subsequent rise in mosquito larvae.

Owing to this, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), UP health department and CMOs across all districts are on an alert and arrangements at hospitals, for medicines and dengue tests are being made.

The CMOs throughout the state have established new pricing standards for dengue tests and platelet readings. Formerly, the NS1 ELISA test conducted in a laboratory incurred a fee of ₹1,200, with an additional charge of ₹1,400 for home sample collection.

Under the updated guidelines, the cost for dengue tests, whether conducted in a lab or at home, has been reduced to ₹1,000. Furthermore, the fee for platelet count tests in a lab is now set at ₹250, while platelet testing at home will require a payment of ₹350.

In response to the increasing number of dengue cases, hospitals across all districts are making preparations to establish dedicated wards for dengue patients.