The sting of dengue is back to the city and it is time for residents to ensure there is no stagnant water around them.

In the past month, 25 dengue cases have been reported in the city. Caused by a bite of the aedes aegypti, rashes and severe joint pain characterise the fever. (See chart)

“Nine confirmed cases have been reported from the Transport Nagar area. In September last year, too, we had received six cases from that locality. Lack of proper fogging measures on the part of the Patna Municipal Corporation could be the reason for it,” said Prashant Kumar, the epidemic control officer the Patna civil surgeon’s office.

He added: “People need to be careful that stagnant water does not accumulate in and around their house. They should also check if their water tanks are left uncovered.”

Till now, Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) have received seven and five positive cases, respectively. Rest of the cases have been reported from private hospitals in the city.

Among government hospitals in Patna, only PMCH, NMCH and Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences conduct dengue tests. A source said: “Most of the private hospitals conduct rapid diagnostic test that does not give authentic results like the ELISA test (that uses antibodies and colour change to identify a substance) available at the government hospitals.”

The civil surgeon’s office, which usually initiates fogging measures in the rural areas, has been forced to undertake the same work in Transport Nagar. “We are also sprinkling bleaching powder in the entire area. Besides, a three-member medical team from the civil surgeon’s office is visiting the area every day to collect blood samples. The test results are being produced within 24 hours,” said Prashant.

At present, three patients are being treated at PMCH and five at NMCH.

Dr Sudhanshu Singh, the deputy superintendent of PMCH, said: “We have a 20-bed dengue ward in place. In case of emergency, we can arrange for 10 more beds in the ward. We have stocked all the necessary medicines, including antibiotics and fluids. We have alerted our blood bank to ensure adequate platelets.”

NMCH has a 10-bed dengue ward to treat patients and has also stocked up on the necessary medicines, including Paracetamol, said deputy superintendent Dr Santosh Kumar.