Dengue: fear looms over locals

Kolkata, Jun 28 : Fear of Dengue stalks residents of South Kolkata, even as state authorities claimed that the situation was 'under control'.

A week ago two Dengue related cases had been reported, but fear looms large over the locals as last year's memories still remain afresh in everyone's mind. Nine people had died of the deadly water-borne disease.

The residents alleged that the administration had failed to undertake fumigation and medical tests, the steps necessary to prevent an outbreak. Many also blame it on the high-rises in the area, as the pools of rainwater in these construction sites are not cleared.

The blame game is on as those concerned with the construction sites accuse the Kolkata Municipal Corporation workers of not picking up the garbage regularly.

Meanwhile,West Bengal Health Minister Suryakanta Mishra yesterday categorically denied any dengue-related deaths in the state.

Drawing attention to the preventive steps taken to stop the further spread of the disease, the Health Minister informed that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the state Health department had already launched a massive public awareness campaign besides a cleaning drive.

Last year the disease had claimed nine lives in Kolkata alone. The toll elsewhere in the state was 15 and nearly 2,500 cases were reported from the state. Slum dwellers still have no idea about the ways and means to prevent the illness. They continue to store drinking water uncovered and cook food near garbage stacks and drains.

Dengue, which has no vaccine for cure, causes excruciating muscle and joint pains, high fever and severe headaches. Its most virulent form can cause internal bleeding and even death. Dengue, also called backbone fever, runs its course in six to seven days.

Calcutta High Court had issued a number of directives after the 2005 Dengue outbreak, asking for more doctors and staff to be employed at KMC health centres, besides directing the clinics to remain open till 10 pm. The court had also directed the KMC to arrange for testing blood samples effectively.

Now, it remains to be seen what steps the state authorities take to prevent the outbreak of the disease to end the woe of the commoners.

UNI