Over 400 dengue cases in 1 month puts BMC on alert

Kolkata: Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities are worried after more than 400 dengue cases have been reported last month.

Pranay Kumar Ray, Member, Mayor-in-Council (MMiC), Health of BMC alleged that the situation turned worse due to dumping of garbage in a scattered way by residents as well as the Puja committees.

According to sources, from January to September, the number of dengue patients was around 300. But during the festive season, the situation turned worse. During October, more than 400 dengue patients were found. The outbreak of dengue is reportedly severe in eight wards, among which six are in the Rajarhat area.

Ray said on Wednesday that the sudden outbreak of dengue in BMC area is quite unexpected as they had conducted year-long drives to put a curb on dengue.

He further informed that last year, 950 dengue cases were reported. Earlier in 2017, the number was approximately 3,300.

Roy alleged that during the festive seasons, Puja committees as well as the residents have dumped garbage in a scattered way. As the rains continued till October, water became stagnant on the garbage which created an ideal place for breeding of mosquitoes.

"While celebrating the festivals, people did not think what can happen if they throw garbage wherever they want. Also during the Durga Puja days, Puja committees and locals arranged community feasts. Following that, garbage was dumped unscientifically where rain water became stagnant," he added.

Ray further expressed his fear that the number of dengue cases may rise as mosquitoes can bite a healthy person after biting a dengue patient, which would infect him/her.

The MMiC also informed that BMC has already taken up the matter seriously. Health workers of BMC as well as the Health department personnel are constantly keeping a tab on the situation.

Apart from medical teams in each ward, a centralised team of BMC is also visiting the affected areas in regular intervals. Last month, the teams have conducted 16 fever camps in the affected wards.