Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra on Tuesday said out of 68,610 samples tested so far, 5,097 have tested positive for dengue. Of the total cases, maximum 2,133 have been reported from Khurda district, followed by 555 from Puri, 520 from Cuttack and 473 from Balasore, he added.

Stating that dengue cases are unlikely to come down so long as the rains continue, Mishra said theperiod from July to October is considered as the pick period of the vector-borne disease which is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Considering this, he said prevention is the only solution to check its spread. He advised the people to keep their houses and surrounding areas clean and hygienic.

Stating that there was no reason to panic, Mishra said, “As many as 98% of dengue patients get cured by timely treatment. One should not be worried by the drop in platelet count of the patient due to the disease. Even if the platelet count drops to 20,000, the patient can recover by right treatment in consultation with doctors.”

Speaking to media persons in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, BMC commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange said mass awareness is necessary regarding the causes of the spread of dengue. Considering this, the BMC had carried out door-to-door campaign about preventive measures like social distancing, cleaning hands and wearing masks during COVID pandemic. The BMC will do similar exercise in case of dengue in the city, he added.

“We had held a meeting with our staff and ward level officials in this regard on Wednesday. At the meeting, it was decided that a surveillance team would be formed in each ward. The team will comprise ward officer, SI, Swachhata Supervisor and a doctor. The team will conduct larvae checking by moving from house to house,” Kulange said.

“Since stagnated water serves as breeding ground for the mosquitoes that cause dengue, the BMC is carrying out fogging and oil spray on stagnated water on roadside and drains. It has engaged 15 machines now for the purpose and will procure 20 more vehicle mounted fogging machines by month-end. But our officials are unable to go to private houses to do these works,” he said.

The BMC commissioner further said, “It is the duty of the house owners, commercial establishments and institutions and shop-keepers to check whether there is any spot having stagnated water in front of their houses, backyard and roof top. They have to ensure that there are no such materials like open overhead water tank, damaged tyres, flower vases and pots where these mosquitoes can breed. They have to clean the place having stagnated water and keep it dry.”