Number of dengue cases mounts to 98 in Patna district

PATNA: Alarmed by the rise in dengue cases in Patna, the district health officials have decided to conduct a week-long awareness drive from Monday. The drive is also aimed at keeping chikungunya and other vector-borne diseases at bay. The number of dengue cases in the district has increased to 98.
Patna civil surgeon Dr Vibha Kumari Singh said to spread awareness about dengue, chikungunya and vector-borne diseases, six e-rickshaws will hit the streets on Monday. “The e-rickshaws will make rounds of all the circles of Patna Municipal Corporation. A detailed plan has been made with the help of the civic body to contain spread of viral diseases in the vulnerable areas. As dengue cases are mainly being reported from urban areas, we are targeting the urban population,” she said.
Dr Singh added people would be asked to keep their premises and neighbourhoods dry by removing open sources that collect freshwater and stagnant water. “Stagnant water turns into breeding ground for mosquitoes that spread diseases like dengue, malaria and chikungunya. During the week-long awareness drive, we will also make people aware about the symptoms of vector-borne diseases. Most dengue cases have been reported from Bankipore, Patliputra, Digha, Punaichak, Anisabad, Jakkanpura and Shahganj areas.”
The civil surgeon has also directed the officials concerned of primary health centres, sub-divisional hospitals and referral hospitals to make arrangements for dengue test kits.
Four dengue patients were undergoing treatment in 50-bed special ward at Patna Medical College and Hospital on Sunday. Two patients were admitted on Saturday.
Dr Kaushal Kishore, head of medicine department at PMCH, said around 15-20 patients have so far been treated at the hospital. “The average recovery time of dengue patient is 5-6 days. Several dengue positive patients do not require hospitalization as they recover at home with medical help,” he said.
Three dengue patients, on the other hand, were undergoing treatment at AIIMS-Patna. Dr Ravi Kirti of the hospital’s medicine department said post-monsoon is the peak time for dengue. “Most patients come with symptoms like fever, headache, body-ache and gastronomical problems. Fortunately, we have not seen any patient visiting the hospital with dengue shock syndrome this time. Most patients have mild to moderate symptoms and they recover in four to seven days,” he said.