Ludhiana, Aug. 23 -- With vector-borne diseases on the rise, the health department on Friday carried out an anti-dengue drive under the initiative "Har shukravar, dengue te vaar" (Strike against dengue every Friday).

So far this season, the district has reported 18 dengue cases and 43 cases of malaria. While dengue cases have declined compared to the 46 reported by mid-August last year, malaria cases have already surpassed last year's total tally of 34.

Civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur said 420 teams were deployed for the campaign, which covered two jails and 505 government offices. "Of these, 21 offices were found positive for mosquito larvae," she said. The teams also inspected 27,429 houses and checked 41,215 containers, detecting den...