Health Minister Damodar Rout on Saturday called for greater community participation in raising awareness among the people for combating the spread of dengue in the city.
The Minister, who reviewed dengue situation and steps taken to contain it by the district administration, health and civic authorities at Cuttack Collectorate here and sought more active involvement of Sahi and Puja committees in sensitising the people of their areas in prevention as well as precautionary measures.
Rout’s visit was though marked by protests with the Opposition parties including the Congress and BJP staging demonstrations alleging failure of the Government in tackling the outbreak that has gripped most parts of the city and affected over 300 people in the last fortnight.
While Congress activists staged dharna, BJP workers were engaged in a scuffle with the police while attempting to scale the gates of the Collector’s office. Three workers sustained injuries in the struggle.
Rout said 523 persons have tested positive for dengue in the State as on Saturday. Of them, 326 were from Cuttack alone. Though one death has been attributed to the disease, the Government is yet to acknowledge it. In 2011, dengue had claimed 33 lives in the State while six persons had succumbed to the disease last year.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said emergency measures had been initiated to control and contain the menace. Truck mounted fogging machines would be provided to Cuttack city soon to ensure fast mobility and increased coverage of operations.