BJP stages 'mosquito net protest' amid rising dengue cases in Bhubaneswar
Even as the BJP took to the streets with mosquito nets to protest the rising number of dengue cases in Bhubaneswar, Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra said on Tuesday that the positivity rate is low in comparison to last year.
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Bhubaneswar: Even as the BJP took to the streets with mosquito nets to protest the rising number of dengue cases in Bhubaneswar, Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra said on Tuesday that the positivity rate is low in comparison to last year.
"10,000 tests were performed last year, and 700 people had tested positive for Dengue by this time." "550 of the 18,000 tests performed so far have been found positive," he said.
He also stated that no cases had been reported in ten districts, while the number had not reached double digits in twelve districts. "While seven districts have reported less than 40 cases, the number of infected is slightly higher in Khurda district," he said.
Mishra went on to say that all necessary steps are being taken to control the situation. "Municipal corporations, municipalities, and panchayat samitis have been asked to create awareness among the people," he added.
According to available data, 336 people in Khurda have tested positive for dengue, with Bhubaneswar reporting more than 200 cases.
Meanwhile, leaders and workers dressed as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Mayor Sulochana Das gheraoed the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) office. They also wrapped themselves in mosquito nets to protest the BMC's apathy in dealing with the problem.
For the two suspected dengue deaths in the city, BJP leaders have threatened to file a complaint against Bhubaneswar Mayor and BMC Commissioner.
"The Mayor had promised that there would be no flooding or dengue cases in the city before Monsoon." Bhubaneswar has become a tourist destination for the entire country. The mayor has denied that dengue deaths have occurred in the city. They must visit the hospital and gather accurate information. According to our data, 700 people have tested positive for the disease so far," said Babu Singh, president of the BJP's Bhubaneswar district unit.
He also threatened to escalate the agitation in the coming days if the BMC did not take concerted action to arrest the suspects.
A seven-year-old boy from Khandagiri died of dengue while receiving treatment at a private hospital, and a 62-year-old woman died of the disease at the Capital Hospital. However, the Health Department has yet to confirm these as dengue deaths.
Notably, the BMC Commissioner has directed that the awareness campaign be stepped up, particularly in dengue hotspot areas. A team of doctors and health workers will go door to door in their neighborhood to educate people about dengue and how to avoid it.
