Patna: Bihar is grappling with a severe dengue outbreak, with 153 new cases reported across the state in the last 24 hours, including 69 in Patna alone. The mosquito-borne illness has claimed 15 lives this season, while a total of 3,782 people in Patna and 7,641 statewide have been affected so far.
In Patna, the recent cases have been concentrated in several areas: Kankarbagh (8 cases), Bankipur (14), New Capital circle (9), Azimabad (3), and Patliputra (16). Health officials are also reporting a rise in chikungunya cases, with four new patients diagnosed in recent days, marking an uptick in infections from this virus as well.
Dr. Manoj Chaudhary, a senior physician at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), cautioned that vigilance will be necessary for several more weeks, as the dengue outbreak may only decline with cooler weather. Dr. Chaudhary advised residents to seek testing if they experience high fever, severe headache, body pain, eye pain, rashes, or vomiting. Government hospitals are offering free testing and treatment services to support residents during the outbreak.
