In view of the large number of dengue cases being detected in Cuttack district during last monsoon, the administration has swung into action by launching a host of preventive measures to deal with any situation.
The Cuttack district administration decided to form task forces in every ward of the city to impede the possible dengue menace. The administration has swung into action after a report from Regional Treatment Research Centre cautioned that dengue is likely to assume serious proportion in Cuttack city during the coming monsoon.
During the monsoon last year, out of some 10,500 blood samples tested in Odisha for dengue, about 3078 were found positive and of them, more than 1300 were from Cuttack district alone, according to officials.
A majority of dengue patients (over 1000) were from Cuttack city, they said, adding last year's dengue scare is back again to haunt the Cuttack district administration once more as the monsoon season approaches.
Looking at the pathetic condition of Cuttack drains and the manner in which the city's open spaces have been converted into a massive garbage dumping yards, experts warn that the city is staring at an unprecedented dengue menace this time too.
"Basing on our previous experiences, we have decided to form task forces in every ward to sensitise the people about dengue and the measures to prevent it," said district collector Girish S N. The task forces would consist of ASHA and Anganwadi workers, volunteers from schools and colleges, Puja committees and local (Sahi) committee members, he added.
Going by the chaotic situation the SCB medical college and hospital here witnessed last year while handling dengue patients, doctors attending a district-level meeting here have suggested opening of special dengue wards in the hospital.
