Get in touch with dengue detection centres: KMC

Kolkata: The Health department officials of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) urged people to get in touch with the dengue detection centres if they run temperature along with body ache.

The officials said there are 15 dengue detection centres in the city where NS1 and IgM tests are done free of cost. "Just because the blood samples are tested free of cost, there are many who believe that the tests that are conducted at KMC labs are not up to the mark. This view is wrong. We follow the most scientific method which few private pathological laboratories in the city follow. These labs are creating unnecessary panic among the people in the city," they maintained. There are 15 dengue detection centres in the city. There are health units in all the 144 wards where blood samples are collected.

The officials said the civic authorities alone cannot prevent the spread of dengue unless people come forward and follow the do's and don'ts issues by KMC to prevent the disease. Despite requests, many people do not clean containers used to store water.

People also do not ensure that the overhead tanks and underground reservoirs are covered properly. "KMC teams visit houses regularly and where the overhead tanks and underground reservoirs are not covered they ask the owners in case of residential buildings and associations in case of apartments to take immediate steps. But it is not possible for the KMC to visit all the houses to do a follow up. Only awareness can help us to prevent spread of the disease," a senior official said.

It may be recalled that after coming to power in 2010, Mayor Sovan Chatterjee sat with the officials of KMC's Health department and prepared a scheme to combat the spread of dengue and malaria. Atin Ghosh, member, Mayor-in-Council (Health) heads the drives that are conducted in institutional buildings like both state and Central government offices, educational institutions, and state-run hospitals. If it is found that the authorities running these institutions are not maintaining them properly, then notices are served and actions are taken.

"We are trying our best to combat the spread of dengue and we seek cooperation from the people," the officials said.