Dengue mecing in Kamrup(M)!

GUWAHATI, Oct 23: Dengue is mecing for Assam, especially in Guwahati (M), if the official figures on the impact of the vector-borne disease have anything to go by.

As on October 21, 2017 dengue affected as many as 1,656 people this year, as many as 1,333 in Kamrup (M) alone. Of the five zones in the district, East Zone covering areas like Uzan Bazar, Noonmati, Modhgoria, Kharguli, Satgaon etc., is the worst affected with 574 people suffering from the disease. It is followed by Capital Zone with 383 dengue cases; West Zone comprising Bharalu, Pandu and Jalukbari with 198 cases; South Zone comprising Dhirenpara, Lalmati, Udalbakra etc., with 133 cases; and Sopur Zone with 110 cases. The zones of 35 of patients have not been identified as yet.

According to statistics made available by NVBDCP and State Health Department sources, so far only two lives were claimed by the vector-borne disease against unofficial sources claiming more deaths. According to NVBDCP sources, dengue patients may die of other reasons and the confirmation of death due to dengue is done by a joint audit committee. “We’ve released Rs 35 lakh to GMC for taking dengue preventive measures like fogging. The occurrence of the disease has come down this year from what it was last year.”

The total dengue cases in the State till October 21, 2016 was 2911 against 1,656 during the corresponding period this year. In Kamrup (M) the number of dengue cases till October 21, 2016 was 2,648 against 1,333 during the corresponding period this year. The number of lives lost till October 21 in the State in 2016 was three against two during the corresponding period this year. In Kamrup (M) the number of lives lost till October 21, 2016 was two against nil during the corresponding period this year. The two lives – one each in Kokrajhar and Baksa – were lost this year,” one of the sources in NVBDCP said.

This apart, Japanese Encephalitis claimed 82 lives in the State where as many as 578 people were affected by the disease. As many as 170 people died of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) against 1,961 affected by it this year.