Patna: Dengue cases have continued to surface in the Bihar with 275 new cases being reported in the State on Sunday. Among the new cases, 177 were reported from Patna, 19 from Munger, 18 in Bhagalpur, 16 each in Begusarai and Muzaffarpur and 13 in Vaishali.
According to the Health department, the state is currently grappling with a total of 275 active dengue cases. In a concerning trend, 19 new patients have been identified in Munger, 18 in Bhagalpur, 16 each in Begusarai and Muzaffarpur, and 13 in Vaishali. This surge has pushed the overall number of dengue patients in the state to nearly five thousand.
As of Tuesday, there were 245 patients receiving treatment at various government hospitals across Bihar. Among these, 128 were undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital in Bhagalpur, followed by 23 at Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences, and 18 each at Patna Medical College and Hospital, as well as Anugraha Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital in Gaya.
Historical data from the health department reveals that dengue cases have typically peaked during the months of October and November. In the year 2022, a total of 13,972 dengue cases were recorded, with a substantial 7,605 cases reported in October, followed by 3,885 in November and 1,896 in September. In 2021, there were a total of 633 cases reported throughout the year, with a peak of 251 cases in October and 179 cases in November.
To combat the dengue outbreak, Patna’s Civil Surgeon, Dr. Shrawan Kumar, emphasized the department’s vigilance. They have been actively conducting fogging and spraying larvicide to control the spread of dengue. Additionally, efforts are underway to monitor dengue patients with travel history and compile a comprehensive database.
Another official issued a specific caution to the public, advising against storing water in tanks during the Chhath festival. Such tanks, despite their clean appearance, serve as ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, further exacerbating the problem.
Noted physician, Dr. Diwakar Tejaswi, urged people to exercise caution during festive times. He explained that while dengue cases tend to increase with the onset of the monsoon season, the numbers skyrocket during festivals. This is primarily due to the practice of family members gathering together in confined spaces during festivities like Dussehra or Chhath. In such close quarters, if even one person has dengue and is bitten by a mosquito, it can easily transmit the virus to other family members. Vigilance and preventive measures are crucial to curb the spread of dengue during these times.
