KOLKATA: Earlier this month, dengue had claimed a 35-yearold resident of the government housing complex in Muraripukur and even a fortnight later, nothing much has changed in the area. Almost every alternate household here has someone or the other suffering from fever and many of them, having dengue-like symptoms, are suspected to be NS-1 positive.During a visit to the complex, TOI on Monday found heaps of garbage overflowing from the vat inside the housing premises. Puddles of stagnant water was also spotted here and there. “The local civic authorities do not enter here for dengue drive as it is a government housing complex. The housing authorities collects the accumulated garbage and clean the premises only once a week. Many are also suffering from fever with dengue-like symptoms. The situation was almost the same last year as well,” said Tulsi Das, a local.Civic authorities, however, claimed dengue had lost its sting in the last few weeks. “About 50 persons were affected from dengue earlier this year. The trend has been bucked after the civic rapid action force took up a slew of measures,” said a civic official.The dengue scare was evident at Peary Mohan Sur Lane in Maniktala. Eleven-yearold Aarush Dutta from the area died of dengue around two weeek back. Scores are suffering from fever still now and quite a few persons are undergoing dengue treatment in the area.“I have been suffering from high fever for the last few days and the doctor has diagnosed me with dengue. He has advised me to take rest and have lots of fluid,” said Manju Devi Shaw, a housewife residing on a dingy lane very close to Aarush’s house .According to locals, the situation was not as bad during this time last year. “The civic workers are occasionally seen spraying bleaching powder, but we do not know whether it is enough to prevent dengue,” one of them said. KMC health department authorities have not yet confirmed any of the two dengue deaths, saying that they had sent data to the state health department for verification. “Awareness campaigns are being conducted regularly and all necessary measures are being taken to prevent any outbreak of dengue in the area,” said a KMC health department official.The dengue fight is gradually becoming tougher for the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. At Duttabad, where dengue claimed two kids earlier this month, many have already tested NS-1 positive with hundreds more suffering from fever. Medical camps are being held to tackle the panic. Even at Baguiati, the corporation is battling to stem the fear.

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