Cuttack, July 8: The municipal corporation has geared up to ensure that dengue does not spread in the city.

Following reports of dengue cases, the civic body has since yesterday started a special sanitation drive that includes intensive bush-cutting and clearance of blockages in the drainage channels apart from maintaining overall sanitation.

Official sources said 12 dengue patients (all tested positive) had been admitted at SCB Medical College and Hospital so far. "While 11 patients are under treatment in the dengue ward, another patient has been shifted to the intensive care unit," said Siba Prasad Mohanty, assistant nodal officer for treatment of dengue cases.

"At present, we are focusing on the areas from where dengue cases have been reported in the past few days. The drive will be extended to all wards shortly," city health officer Abhay Patnaik said today.

The spread of the vector-borne disease has been attributed to poor hygiene and sanitation as well as stagnant rainwater - which help in breeding of larvae of the aedes mosquito that carries dengue virus. "Spraying of larvicide oil in the drains and areas prone to mosquito breeding is being done intensely. If weather conditions permit, mosquito repellent fogging drive will also be done," Patnaik said.

This time, dengue cases were reported from Ranihat, Nuabazar and Chauliaganj. However, the civic body will give special focus to those areas as well, from where dengue cases have been reported in the past few years. The areas include - Jagatpur, Thoria Sahi, Kesarpur, Gamhandia, Mala Sahi, Mangalabag, Santa Sahi, Rausapatna and Bhagatpur. Dengue cases have been reported in the city since 2012.

Municipal commissioner Bikash Mohapatra said: "We are trying to ensure that there are no blockages in the drainage channels because of the ongoing Japan International Co-operation Agency-funded integrated sanitation project."

"The hospital is ready with over 92 beds in special wards for the treatment of dengue patients," Dr Mohanty said.

The Cuttack Municipal Corporation has formed a special squad to monitor the sanitation drive. With an additional commissioner as nodal officer, the squad includes city health officer, junior engineers and sanitary inspectors. "We are appealing to the people to use mosquito nets and be more active in making their place hygienic. We have also asked them to ensure that no open water is stored anywhere," chairman of the civic body's standing committee for health Ranjan Kumar Biswal said.

"We are now providing 250ml larvicide oil for destroying the breeding sites at ward level. We are constantly monitoring the situation, and if necessary, the quantity of oil would be increased," he said.

The city health officer said: "Leaflets will be distributed from tomorrow to create awareness on dengue larvae and tell residents to ensure that old tyres or broken containers are removed from their surroundings." He said mosquito breeding could be found behind refrigerator and flower pots as well. Water from air conditioners can also help dengue mosquito breed. For that reason, these spots should be cleaned every day.