Dengue cases in West Bengal have crossed the 5,000 mark. The Health Department has identified 29 municipalities, 85 blocks, and 278 gram panchayats as hotspots.
पश्चिम बंगाल में डेंगू का डांक, मरीज़ों का आंकड़ा 5 हजार के पार, 278 पंचायतें हॉटस्पॉट,अगस्त के मुकाबले दोगुने से ज्यादा
The dengue outbreak in West Bengal continues to escalate. So far this year, the number of people affected by dengue in the state has crossed the 5,000 mark. In view of the rising cases, the Health Department has identified 29 municipalities, 85 community development blocks, and 278 gram panchayats as dengue hotspots. The department has intensified testing and surveillance in these areas.
Increased Testing and Surveillance in These Areas
According to a state health department official, personnel are conducting more intensive and random blood sample tests in the identified hotspots. These areas reported the highest number of positive dengue cases last month. The department has also established a specific formula to identify hotspots. Under this criterion, a gram panchayat is designated a hotspot if 10 or more dengue patients are detected there. Similarly, a community block falls into the hotspot category if more than 30 patients are found. A municipality is considered a hotspot if five or more people affected by dengue are found in the majority of its wards.
The Health Department is also running large-scale awareness campaigns in these areas. People are being urged to come forward for blood tests if they experience a persistent fever lasting two or more days and exhibit dengue-like symptoms. The department is concerned that in many hotspots, people often resort to self-medication instead of consulting a doctor despite having a persistent fever. Officials have appealed to the public not to self-medicate if a fever lasts for two or more days, but rather to visit the nearest health center for a blood test or consult a doctor.
Surveillance from Homes to Water Sources
To curb the spread of dengue, Health Department personnel are conducting door-to-door surveillance. People are being advised to keep their household water tanks and cisterns covered. Where lids are unavailable, they are being asked to cover these containers with mosquito nets or mesh screens. People are also being made aware of the need to prevent water stagnation in rooftop flowerpots and discarded containers.
The department is monitoring ponds, drains, culverts, dry canals, abandoned wells, and factory premises. Larvicides are being used in accordance with guidelines to eliminate dengue larvae.
Cases more than double compared to August
The Health Department released its latest dengue bulletin on Sunday. According to the report, the number of people affected by dengue in the state had reached 5,002 by September 11. A cause for concern is that, by the same date in August, this figure was below 2,500; this means an additional 2,500 people have contracted dengue in roughly one month.
District-wise data shows Murshidabad as the worst-affected area, with 1,072 cases reported so far. This is followed by Kolkata with 500 cases and North 24 Parganas with 450 cases.
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