Ranchi: Thirteen more people tested positive for chikungunya, one for dengue and one for chikungunya-dengue both in Hindpiri on Saturday of 15 blood samples collected for testing on Friday. These numbers are in addition to 27 chikungunya and two dengue cases confirmed on Friday, making this one of the worst outbreaks in the Muslim-dominated area of Ranchi in recent times.
New Ranchi civil surgeon Dr Vijay Bihari Prasad on Saturday told this paper that test camps would continue till they were sure there was no further threat and an eight-bed isolation ward had been readied at Sadar Hospital.
But detection could have been done a month earlier had district health authorities not been lax, alleged social workers who relentlessly pushed for these health camps.
Dr Aslam Perwez, a social worker with an MBBS degree who runs KB Academy near Main Road where testing camps are being held from Thursday onwards, said 40 chikungunya, three dengue and one chikungunya-dengue results were only the tip of an iceberg. He feared more dengue and chikungunya cases not just in Hindpiri, which has a 30,000-strong population, but also in Church Road, Daily Market and Doranda areas.
Talking to this reporter, he said he and a few other educated people of the locality formed social outfit Lahu Bolega a fortnight ago, when they realised the health authorities were not taking their concerns seriously.
On July 25, district health officials (including now retired Dr S.S. Harijan) who were persuaded to host a health camp came without test kits, said Lahu Bolega convener Nadeem Khan. "So, we started meeting administrative officials and RIMS and on August 1 (Thursday) we held our own camp with RIMS giving us test kits and the services of their microbiologist," he said.
RIMS, he said, agreed to help further if tests revealed any positive case. "The results are before you," Khan said.
The Telegraph , which has been reporting the health fears of Hindpiri residents since last month, on Saturday met a dengue positive man, Md Hashim, 55, president of electronic shops outfit at New Daily Market, who lives at Mantu Chowk in Hindpiri.
Hashim, who lives in a house surrounded by vector havens - algae on one side and mucky water on another - however told the reporter he might have been bitten by Aedes aegypti in Calcutta between July 23 and 25 as he fell ill soon on his return. "I was to go on Haj on August 8, but am confused now. I am worried about my platelet count," Hashim said, adding he would get his blood tested again at a private clinic.
The reporter also met Shaila Naz, 16, and her father Md Jaseem, 60, near Moti Masjid Lane, both chikungunya patients. The family of six lives in a one-room house.
Hindpiri is dotted with random construction work, overflowing drains and garbage that breed mosquitoes.
Nadeem said getting people to the camp wasn't easy. "Through volunteers, and with help of WhatsApp groups in our community, we circulated messages that tests worth Rs 1,000 are being done for free and everyone should come for free check up. We also offered vehicles to bring people to the camp if they couldn't on their own. We had to do this as most are ignorant," he said.
Civil surgeon Prasad said the district officials would get patient platelet count done on Saturday and at regular intervals. "Patients whose platelets fall will be hospitalised," he said. On alleged laxity of the district, especially during the July 25 health camp, he said: "I wasn't the civil surgeon then. We have now raised a red alert in Hindpiri. I also appeal to residents to maintain hygiene, or else no camp will be effective."
Two camps were held, one at KB School where 81 blood samples were collected, and another at Idris School where 45 samples were taken.
Two dengue cases
Two blood samples were confirmed dengue positive on Saturday by MGM Medical College microbiology unit. District surveillance officer Dr Sahir Pall said the duo were from Gobindpur and Adityapur. With this, East Singhbhum reported eight dengue cases.
