Patna: Patna has reported 63 dengue cases between January 1 and July 27, with 19 infections recorded in July alone, according to the district health authorities. While dengue cases have increased with the onset of the monsoon, health officials said the situation remains under control and the district has recorded fewer cases than during the corresponding period last year.According to data shared by the district health department, 10 cases were reported in January, five in February, nine in March, six in April, five in May, 11 in June and 19 in July, taking the total tally to 63 cases so far this year.Civil surgeon Dr Yogesh Prasad Mandal said Patna had reported 70 dengue cases during the same period last year, compared with 63 cases this year, indicating a slight decline despite the ongoing monsoon season. He attributed the lower number of infections to continuous awareness campaigns and preventive measures undertaken by the health department.Recent dengue cases have been reported from areas including Rajapur Pul, Mainpura, Ashiana, Buddha Colony and Boring Road under Patliputra Circle, Mahendra and Rajendra Nagar under Bankipur Circle, Kumhrar, Ranipur, Malsalami, Gulzarbagh and Alamganj in Azimabad Circle, Jayprakash Nagar in Kankerbagh Circle; and Police Colony, Anisabad and Bandar Bagicha in New Capital Circle.The civil surgeon said dengue surveillance, testing and treatment facilities are available at govt hospitals across the district. “All govt hospitals in the district have been directed to remain prepared for dengue cases, with ELISA testing facilities available for confirmation of infection. Dedicated beds have also been earmarked for dengue patients, while surveillance, treatment and vector-control activities are being carried out across the district,” Dr Mandal said, adding that awareness drives are being conducted in schools, anganbadi and community centres. The health department is also working with the municipal corporation to spread awareness about preventing mosquito breeding.Appealing to the residents to actively participate in dengue prevention, Dr Mandal urged people to spend 10 minutes every week inspecting their homes, particularly after rainfall, to ensure that water should not be stagnant in coolers, flower pots, containers, rooftops or other places where mosquitoes can breed. He advised residents to regularly empty and clean water storage containers and dispose of stagnant water safely.District vector-borne disease control officer Dr Subhash Chandra Prasad said Aedes mosquitoes, which spread dengue, breed in clean stagnant water and bite during the daytime. He also advised dengue patients to use mosquito nets until they recover completely to prevent mosquitoes from transmitting the virus to others.Health officials urged people to seek immediate medical attention if they experience warning signs such as persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, difficulty in breathing, bleeding, blood in vomit or stools, or extreme weakness, adding that dengue testing and treatment facilities are available across the district.Meanwhile, the Patna municipal corporation (PMC) has intensified anti-mosquito operations across the city to curb the spread of dengue during the monsoon. According to PMC officials, 375 anti-larvae units have been deployed to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites, while 58 vehicle-mounted fogging machines are carrying out fogging operations across the city in two shifts on roaster basis.PMC officials said fogging is undertaken at hotspots based on the daily list of dengue-positive cases shared by the health department. In addition, teams are also sent to localities on the basis of complaints and requests received from residents.
