Fear of dengue outbreak in Patna, health department takes measures

With parts of Bihar capital still inundated following last week's heavy rainfall, threat of an outbreak of dengue and or vector-borne diseases looms large over city. As per state health department, around 250 dengue cases have been registered in Patna since September 27, when downpour began and continued for next couple of days. spurt in incidence could be gauged from fact that number of dengue cases reported between January 1 and September 27 this year was just 409.

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Resources to combat crisis

department, however, asserted that intensive fogging was being undertaken in water-logged areas, with all medical college hospitals in city tified as "sentinel sites" for dengue treatment. It also said that arrangements were being made to set up free medical camps to treat cases of dengue and chikungunya in city's worst-affected localities on October 10-12, immediately after Dussehra festivities. A release issued by office of Union minister of state for health Ashwini Kumar Choubey said Centre has chipped in with its resources to combat crisis. Teams of doctors are treating people for diarrhea, lung infection and skin diseases which may have been caused by water-logging, release maintained. District Magistrate Kumar Ravi said around 2.25 lakh residents have been affected by water-logging.

"Those affected were rescued with help of boats and provided relief. We are w focusing on preventing outbreak of vector-borne diseases. For this purpose, 75 teams have been constituted to spray bleaching powder and anti- larval material." "Doctors have been deployed at major Durga Puja pandals, expected to witness a heavy throng. doctors would be carrying necessary equipment and drugs to deal with emergencies," he added.

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Bihar Floods

Ravi also said that rural areas of Patna district have been affected by spate in Punpun river, a tributary of Ganges. "Water in river has begun to recede since Sunday and it may fall below danger level in next few days. However, 86,784 villrs have been affected by flash floods. y are being provided relief from kitchens set up at community centres." NDRF along with state water resources department is working to repair breached embankments with sand-filled sacks, district magistrate said. "Doctors and paramedics have been deployed at medical camps for flood victims. Aanganwadi workers have been instructed to keep a watch on health of women and children. Also, pashu rahat kendras (animal welfare centre) have been set up so that cattle could be moved re from flooded areas and looked after," he added.

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