The Bokaro health department has sounded a high alert and launched a “dry day” campaign with two persons, including a seven-year-old boy from bordering Bengal, testing positive for dengue.
The viral disease has affected 70 people and killed one since October 2010, but what is more concerning is that it has returned to haunt the steel city after a lull of 20 months.
Nayan Mondal of Ghaghra Chotki village along Bokaro-Purulia border has been admitted to a Sector IV nursing home, while Kaushalya Devi (30) — who recently returned to Sector VIII from Delhi — has been referred to Bokaro General Hospital.
According to official records, dengue had taken epidemic proportions between October and November 2010, when 66 people were hospitalised. So, the administration is not taking chances.
Civil surgeon S.N. Tewary has already shot letters to all government and private hospitals, seeking details of patients with dengue symptoms.
District malaria officer Anil Kumar Poddar on Monday launched a drive, urging residents to observe “dry day” once a week. “Residents have been asked to keep utensils totally dry for at least 12 hours. Under no circumstances should water remain stagnant for over 24 hours,” he said.
Tewary said all necessary precautions were being taken to check a dengue outbreak. “We are undertaking cleanliness campaigns in Gomia, Nawadih, Kasmar, Petarwar and Jaridih blocks, which are malaria-prone,” he added.
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