On Tuesday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the incidence of dengue in West Bengal has decreased by 50 percent this year compared to the previous year, and he reassured the public that measures are in place to manage the outbreak.
This announcement followed a meeting the Chief Minister held with health officials at Swasthya Bhavan, where they assessed the current dengue situation in the state. According to Adhikari, there has been one reported death due to the disease, with a total of 148 confirmed cases statewide.
“There is no need for alarm. The situation is under control. Last year, we recorded approximately 7,600 positive dengue cases, whereas this year, we have just over 4,000 cases. This represents a 50 percent reduction for this period,” Adhikari stated during a press briefing at Swasthya Bhavan.
He attributed the decline in cases not solely to government efforts, but to increased public awareness regarding dengue prevention. “The community is more informed, which has contributed to this positive trend,” he explained.
The Chief Minister noted that a few dengue cases have been identified in 12 wards of Kolkata, while 61 wards within the city have been declared free of the disease. He highlighted Murshidabad and Nadia districts as having the highest dengue case counts, with nine cases reported in Amtala under the Nawda Police Station in Murshidabad and 11 in Chakdah, Nadia.
Adhikari has instructed the health department to continue monitoring the situation through November. He has also directed officials to distribute mosquito nets and employ fogging machines as part of the disease control strategy.
“We have an adequate supply of testing kits available. If anyone experiences a mild fever, it is crucial not to overlook it. For fevers lasting more than two days or of high intensity, a free dengue test is accessible. Families of the 148 infected individuals should also be monitored to prevent further transmission in those areas. In neighborhoods where multiple cases occur, fogging should be utilized judiciously,” he advised.
Additionally, the Chief Minister announced a special sanitation initiative within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area scheduled for September 3, 4, and 5.
In a critical tone, Adhikari accused the former Trinamool Congress government of manipulating dengue statistics, alleging that doctors were not permitted to document cases. “Even if someone was infected, the records could not reflect that,” he claimed.
He urged current officials to report data “without hesitation,” assuring them that transparency regarding the disease’s prevalence would be maintained. “Do not conceal dengue cases. If there are infections, they must be recorded. There is no issue with that. The municipality and administration are capable of managing dengue effectively,” he stated.
Adhikari also cautioned the public, advising, “If you have a fever that lasts beyond two days, seek medical attention. There is a provision for free testing available.”
