Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Aug 21: Dengue fever is spreading rapidly across Bihar’s capital, with 28 new cases reported in just the past 48 hours. The total number of infections in August has now reached 86, while the year’s count has crossed 150, raising serious concerns for health officials and municipal authorities.

According to the Civil Surgeon’s Office, the spike is most severe in waterlogged areas, with neighbourhoods like Kankarbagh, Postal Park, Jakkanpur, Yogipur, Digha, Patna City, Boring Road, Rupaspur, and Danapur emerging as hotspots—many of which were also severely affected during last year’s outbreak.

Hospitals across the city, including PMCH, IGIMS, and AIIMS Patna, are seeing a steady rise in patients with dengue and dengue-like symptoms. Four confirmed cases are currently admitted at IGIMS, while private hospitals such as Paras, Medanta, Ruban, and Mediversal are also screening increasing numbers of suspected cases in their outpatient departments.

In response, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has ramped up anti-dengue measures, including fogging and anti-larval spraying. Officials are conducting random verification calls to residents to monitor coverage, and have urged citizens to report any lack of spraying via the helpline 155304.

PMC officials also appealed to residents to eliminate stagnant water from pots, coolers, AC trays, and other containers, which serve as ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes. Cooperation with sanitation teams during spraying drives has been requested.

Health experts have warned the situation may worsen due to ongoing monsoon rains. “The conditions are ideal for mosquito breeding, and we may see a further spike if preventive steps are not followed,” said Dr. Rajan Kumar of PMCH. Dr. Ajay Kumar Sinha from Nalanda Medical College stressed that prevention remains the most effective approach in controlling vector-borne diseases.

Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant, eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and follow health department guidelines to help contain the spread.