CUTTACK: Dengue is back in Cuttack. Stagnant water following two days of rain in the low-lying areas has led to outbreak of fresh cases exposing Cuttack Municipal Corporation’s (CMC) lack of preparedness to check the disease.
In SCB Medical College and Hospital, of the 25 blood samples of suspected dengue cases examined on Wednesday, two have tested positive. One of two diagnosed patient is from Tulasipur locality while the other person belongs to Bhauria in Mahanga region of the district.
In another case, a person from Salepur locality is undergoing treatment at SCBMCH after testing positive for the disease. At present, as many as six dengue patients are undergoing treatment at SCBMCH and two of them have been shifted to ICU after their condition deteriorated, hospital sources said.
Outbreak of the disease at the beginning of monsoon has raised concern among residents. Attributing the rise in dengue cases to unhygienic and insanitary condition in the localities, locals alleged that breeding of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is increasing due to lack of cleanliness and sanitation in the drains of the city.
While the garbage and waste materials are not being properly cleaned, no step has yet been undertaken for bush cutting and clearing water-logging from low-lying areas, creating a favourable situation for spread of the vector-borne disease. Moreover, the administration is yet to conduct anti-dengue operation to curb the menace.