The menace of dengue is on the rise in Patna after the recent flash floods, with 1500 cases of dengue in the city including two BJP MLAs of Patna, Nitin Naveen and Sanjiv Chaurasia and former Union Minister Kanti Singh, also falling victim.

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'Government should ensure cleanliness drive'

While speaking to Republic TV, BJP MLA from Bankipore in Patna, Nitin Naveen said, "I am suffering from dengue for the past one week after I visited a waterlogged area of my constituency after which I started complaining of body ache and my platelets had gone down to 1 lakh. Even though the government is trying it's best but it should ensure cleanliness drive and anti-mosquito fogging should be done on priority in the waterlogged areas to curb the menace of dengue."

Another BJP MLA from Digha assembly constituency of Patna, Sanjiv Chaurasia said that his platelets had gone down to thirty-five thousand which was alarming. "I was traveling in the flood-hit areas of my constituency, after which I started complaining of body ache and fever about a week back. My blood samples were sent to laboratory that tested positive of dengue. The administration should make people aware and also ensure that there shouldn't be garbage and waterlogging which is the breeding place for dengue mosquito. Anti-fogging machine and bleaching powder should be sprinkled all over", said Chaurasia.

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A lawyer dies due to dengue

Rajiv Lochan, a Patna based lawyer, allegedly died due to dengue in a private hospital. He lived near the Patliputra colony  which was one of the worst waterlogged areas of Patna during floods. This incident has anguished the legal fraternity and has demanded Rs 25 lakh exgratia payment to his kin. According to the Bihar Government Health Department, 2000 cases of dengue have been reported in the entire state, of which 1500 cases have been reported in Patna.

Government measures to counter dengue

Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey said, "one case of death has been reported in my knowledge. Dengue wards have been made in various government hospitals and all the blood banks have been provided with platelets. Bihar Government has engaged 75 teams for anti-larvicidal activities in different areas of Patna and also 22 camps have been set up for conducting dengue tests." Pandey said that he has spoken to the MLAs and provided them with adequate facilities and anti-fogging machines have been sent in their area. "I have asked the doctors of communicable diseases to enquire and submit a report for the exact cause of lawyer Rajiv Lochan's death including four other cases reported in media, added Pandey."

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"According to the figures of directorate of the National vector-borne control programme of Government of India, cases of dengue are being reported all over the country with alarming situation in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Nanital, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana etc. In comparison to these states, the number of cases reported in Bihar is less as of now", appended Pandey.

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