Number of dengue cases lesser this year, says Sovan

Kolkata: The number of people afflicted with Dengue in the city is much less this year in comparison to previous years, Mayor Sovan Chatterjee said on Wednesday.

He took part in a meeting of the International Child Cure Centre on Wednesday morning. " I have been associated with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation for the past 33 years and the civic authorities have been streamlined over the years and its performance has gone up remarkably," he remarked.

He also inaugurated nine beds for treating pediatric cancer patients at the Institute of Child Health.

Addressing the gathering, Chatterjee said: "Prevention is better than cure and no institution can function without cooperation of people representing all walks of life," he said adding: "For some, dengue has become synonymous with some kind of unknown fever. This is most unfortunate. I seek your cooperation."

Chatterjee said the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is working 365 days to combat the spread of the disease. The KMC informs the people whose blood samples have been examined at its laboratories through SMS. "This is a marked improvement," he maintained. He said KMC has left no stones unturned to check the spread of the disease. The holidays of the Health department officials and staff have been cancelled.

Fifteen dengue detection centres have been opened in the city where blood samples of people are examined free of cost.

The civic authorities have launched massive campaign to create awareness among people.

As Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes have changed their breeding season because of climate change.

Accordingly, the KMC began its drives to combat dengue in January. A massive awareness campaign was launched where through pamphlets and booklets, the KMC issued the do's and don'ts and urged people to follow them to check spread of the disease. The health workers visit every locality and through public address system request the residents to use mosquito nets at night, to clean the containers used to store water at least once a week etc. Talking to newsmen, Chatterjee said: "Let media reflect what has happened. I cannot wake up the people who are sleeping," he said. It may be recalled that after becoming Mayor in 2010, Chatterjee had held a meeting with senior officials of KMC's Health department. The areas where the outbreak of Dengue and Malaria were identified and the city was divided into several zones. Steps were taken to open Dengue detection centres and this has helped to almost eradicate Malaria and reduce the number of Dengue cases.