BHOPAL: Dengue is spreading its wings in Bhopal . In the last week, 18 cases of the vectorbrone disease have been diagnosed in the state capital, according to health department monitoring.Spurt of vector borne ailments has taken the health department by surprise as it is not confined to any single area. During the earlier outbreaks, a single area was considered the ‘ground zero’ for the outbreak. Koh-e-Fiza, Vijaynagar, Shahpura, Sarvdharm Colony, Chunna Bhatti and Kolar are areas where dengue sting has been felt the most.This year, dengue and chikungunya cases have also been reported from Saket Nagar, Kolar and TT Nagar areas which have stretched the health department’s district malaria office (DMO) to its limits.So far this year, 88 people have tested positive for dengue and another 30 have tested positive for chikungunya. Going by an estimated breakup of the data, more than half of the total cases have been reported from new Bhopal The situation has put to test the resources on the ground. With little involvement of the BMC in vector control survey process, some 22 lakh people are dependent on a staff of less than 100 people to combat the menace. Simply put, not more than 500 houses per day can be covered by the depleted staff – to combat malaria and dengue from spreading. All the 90 people deployed with the DMO are not on duty, sources said. District malaria office (DMO) survey is yet to get support from ANM, health workers and AYUSH staffers. In previous years, with increase in vector-borne cases, chief medical and health officer (CMHO) has often requested AYUSH department doctors for combating spread of dengue and malaria. Across Bhopal as per health department data, five lakh households have been surveyed and nearly 10% of all houses or commercial establishments surveyed have been detected with mosquito larvae.

Stay updated with all the Bhopal Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.