Ludhiana, Nov. 9 -- The dengue situation in Ludhiana district has intensified, with the total case tally soaring to 444 as of Saturday. What has alarmed health officials and physicians is the remarkably high rate of hospitalisation: over 79% of the district's active dengue patients are currently admitted to hospitals.

According to figures released by the local health department, there are 39 active dengue patients, and 31 of them are receiving hospital care.

Senior physician Dr Amritpal Singh attributed this unusually high hospitalisation rate, in part, to the deteriorated air quality experienced in the last couple of weeks. Dr Singh explained that airborne pollutants exacerbate symptoms in patients with pre-existing lung and heart issu...