Dengue has affected fewer people this year compared to 2013 but the death of Abhay Kumar Singh (36) on Friday has triggered a scare among people amid mild weather, perfect for breeding of mosquitoes.

R.R. Choudhary, the head of medicine department of Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, said: “Mild weather is perfect for the breeding of mosquito carrying dengue virus. The breeding of such mosquitoes takes place in stagnant water. Water could be found accumulated on rooftops, air-coolers and pits.”

A source said Abhay’s death was the first dengue death reported in the season, though such cases come to the hospitals round the year.

Doctors said the disease has not taken the form of epidemic yet. They said last year by this time, they had received several suspected cases and the number of positive cases was also huge. This year, there has been a fall in the number of suspected and confirmed cases. Sources in the civil surgeon’s office said so far only seven positive cases of dengue have been detected in the district.

Shankar Prakash, the head of the microbiology department of Patna Medical College and Hospital, said: “So far, we have received around 1,500 suspected cases this year of which only eight-10 cases have been tested positive. Last year, around 5,000 suspected cases had come by this time and 20 per cent of the cases were found to be positive. This year, the disease has not taken the form of epidemic.”

Prakash said the PMCH had stocked up sufficient numbers of dengue testing kits and patients can avail the dengue testing facility for free at the hospital.

Choudhary, the head of medicine department of Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, urged residents to take necessary precautions to shield themselves from the disease.