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Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ed-lens-on-civic-body/articleshow/4760321.cms
73 dengue cases registered, lens on civic body
10 Jul 2009, 0305 hrs IST, TNN
KOLKATA: Even before it has got its act together to combat malaria, Kolkata Municipal Corporation now faces the challenge to curb dengue in the city.
The state health department
has already recorded 73 dengue cases this year. KMC health department officials conceded that the situation was quite serious in parts of north Kolkata like Kankurgachi, Ultadanga and Manicktala that together account for 45 cases. Other affected areas are Camac Street, Bhowanipore, Dhakuria, Jodhpur Park and Lake Gardens. The health department has asked KMC to take immediate preventive measures to stop the disease from spreading.
KMC's member, mayor-in-council (health), Subodh De conceded that the situation called for immediate civic intervention. "I have heard that the situation is alarming at some places and have asked KMC health officials to keep a close tab on the malaria- and dengue-prone areas," he said.
However, opposition Trinamool Congress councillors alleged that despite assurances from civic top brass, no action was taken by the KMC health department to destroy mosquito larvae.
"I raised the issue with the civic administration several times in the past four years. I urged KMC authorities to strengthen vector control activities throughout the year but no action was taken. So, dengue cases are on the rise," alleged Ratan De, Trinamool councillor.
Trinamool councillors said civic authorities had failed to ensure free Elisa tests for the poor to detect dengue. "The KMC top
brass had assured that they would tie up with private pathological labs for the purpose. But three years down the line, the tie-ups have broken, leading to major problems," said KMC opposition leader Javed Khan.
There has been an alarming rise in the number of malignant malaria cases too. The city's first malignant malaria death was recorded at Surya Sen Street in Central Kolkata when Uday Das (38) succumbed to the disease. Panic gripped the residents as another local, Toton Mukherjee (55), lost his vision, while a 10-year-old boy tested positive.
Between January and June this year, KMC has registered 843 malignant malaria cases. Last year, only 93 cases were recorded in the same time period. More than 600 blood samples collected by KMC health staff from areas like Hatibagan, College Street, Bidhan Sarani, Amherst Street, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Ripon Street and Park Circus have tested positive.
73 dengue cases registered, lens on civic body
10 Jul 2009, 0305 hrs IST, TNN
KOLKATA: Even before it has got its act together to combat malaria, Kolkata Municipal Corporation now faces the challenge to curb dengue in the city.
The state health department
has already recorded 73 dengue cases this year. KMC health department officials conceded that the situation was quite serious in parts of north Kolkata like Kankurgachi, Ultadanga and Manicktala that together account for 45 cases. Other affected areas are Camac Street, Bhowanipore, Dhakuria, Jodhpur Park and Lake Gardens. The health department has asked KMC to take immediate preventive measures to stop the disease from spreading.
KMC's member, mayor-in-council (health), Subodh De conceded that the situation called for immediate civic intervention. "I have heard that the situation is alarming at some places and have asked KMC health officials to keep a close tab on the malaria- and dengue-prone areas," he said.
However, opposition Trinamool Congress councillors alleged that despite assurances from civic top brass, no action was taken by the KMC health department to destroy mosquito larvae.
"I raised the issue with the civic administration several times in the past four years. I urged KMC authorities to strengthen vector control activities throughout the year but no action was taken. So, dengue cases are on the rise," alleged Ratan De, Trinamool councillor.
Trinamool councillors said civic authorities had failed to ensure free Elisa tests for the poor to detect dengue. "The KMC top
brass had assured that they would tie up with private pathological labs for the purpose. But three years down the line, the tie-ups have broken, leading to major problems," said KMC opposition leader Javed Khan.
There has been an alarming rise in the number of malignant malaria cases too. The city's first malignant malaria death was recorded at Surya Sen Street in Central Kolkata when Uday Das (38) succumbed to the disease. Panic gripped the residents as another local, Toton Mukherjee (55), lost his vision, while a 10-year-old boy tested positive.
Between January and June this year, KMC has registered 843 malignant malaria cases. Last year, only 93 cases were recorded in the same time period. More than 600 blood samples collected by KMC health staff from areas like Hatibagan, College Street, Bidhan Sarani, Amherst Street, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Ripon Street and Park Circus have tested positive.