With parts of the Bihar capital still inundated following last week’s heavy rainfall, the threat of a dengue epidemic looms large over the city.
As per the state health department, around 250 dengue cases have been registered in Patna since September 27, when the downpour began and continued for the next couple of days.
The spurt in the incidence could be gauged from the fact that the number of dengue cases reported between January 1 and September 27 this year was just 409.
The department, however, asserted that intensive fogging was being undertaken in water-logged areas, with all medical college hospitals in the city notified 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 the city’s worst-affected localities on October 10-12, immediately after the Dussehra festivities.
A release issued by the office of Union Minister of state for health Ashwini Kumar Choubey said the Centre has chipped in with its resources to combat the crisis.
Teams of doctors are treating people for diarrhea, lung infection and skin diseases which may have been caused by the waterlogging, the release maintained.
District Magistrate Kumar Ravi said around 2.25 lakh residents have been affected by the waterlogging. Those affected were rescued with the help of boats and provided relief.