Dengue outbreak: Cases increasing, 211 positive alone in Dhanpur, CM chairs high-level review meeting

In order to control the outbreak of Dengue in the bordering Dhanpur area of Sepahijala district and few other parts of Tripura, the state’s Health department has taken all-out efforts to contain the spread of mosquito-borne viral disease.

While, on Friday Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the current status of dengue fever in the state.

In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister wrote, “Dengue fever has been reported in a few places, including Dhanpur, in the past few days. The Health department is aware of the matter and has taken all necessary measures. A meeting was held today with health officials at the Secretariat to review all aspects related to the impact of dengue.”

Later, during a press conference, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Debasish Basu, stated that the Chief Minister has assessed the present situation regarding dengue, with Chief Secretary JK Sinha also present at the meeting.

Dr. Basu explained, "In Dhanpur, dengue fever has been reported since July 13, and these cases are suspected to be migrated cases from Bangladesh. Since then, the health department has taken various steps to prevent further spread. We have deployed doctors, paramedics, and other health workers in Dhanpur to intensify efforts. Additionally, we have assigned a gynaecologist to look after pregnant women. As of August 4th, there are 211 confirmed dengue cases in Dhanpur alone, with 41 cases reported in the last two days. Around 35 patients have been admitted to GB Pant Hospital, with one patient in the ICU."

Dr Basu further informed that the Medical Superintendent of GB Pant Hospital and himself visited the hospital to speak with the patients and their family members.

"We have sufficient logistics, including over 1500 ELISA kits in stock. An amount of Rs 2 lakh has been sanctioned from NHM to produce more ELISA kits, and other required items are also sufficient," Dr. Basu added.

He also mentioned that the health department has taken several measures, such as massive fogging and declaring the upcoming Sunday as a dry day to clear stored water. Additionally, there has been an increase in the deployment of health teams in Dhanpur.

Dr Basu accompanied Health experts of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GB Hospital including medical super, head of Microbiology department Dr Tapan Majumder and head of Medicine department Dr Arunabha Das Gupta said till date altogether 157 dengue cases confirmed by ELISA from Dhanpur and government has already deployed medical teams in all border land ports in the state to keep a vigil on travellers from Bangladesh along with other measures.

Dr Basu said that massive awareness drives have been started in Dengue affected areas along with proper measures to contain the outbreak including fogging.

He said that authorities of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GB Hospital have also started operation of a separate medical ward for dengue patients with capacity of 30 beds at ‘Jayanti ward’ of GB Hospital.

Dr Basu said that the department has deployed specialist doctors at Dhanpur primary health centre (PHC) along with other administrative teams for detection of any dengue cases and cleanliness drive in association of local administration. The teams are visiting all affected villages and have taken protection measures to contain further spread of the victor borne diseases.

Dr Basu also said that dengue was spreading from neighbouring Bangladesh, where the situation has already become alarming. He also said that all cases confirmed through the ELISA test are type-I dengue and there are no situation for panic.