Dengue Crisis in Bihar: Surge in Cases Across the State as Patna Emerges as Epicenter
Aditya Raj
Patna: The state of Bihar is grappling with a sharp rise in dengue cases, with alarming numbers reported across various districts. From January 1 to August 30, a total of 728 dengue cases have been documented, with the capital city, Patna, emerging as a critical hotspot. According to official reports, Patna alone accounted for 33 new cases, while Darbhanga and Begusarai each reported 3 cases. Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, and Siwan registered 2 cases each, and one case each was found in Arwal, Bhagalpur, Jehanabad, Katihar, Madhubani, Nawada, Saran, and Vaishali.
The situation has taken a turn for the worse, with 53 new cases reported statewide in a single day, further intensifying concerns among health officials. In Patna, the densely populated neighborhoods of Kankarbagh and Azimabad have been particularly affected, with eight and six new cases reported respectively. Other areas like the NCC Zone, Patna City, Bankipur, and Patliputra Zone have also seen a significant rise in cases. With 280 cases now confirmed in Patna, the district has become the epicenter of Bihar’s dengue outbreak.
Health authorities are now on high alert, especially in the Kankarbagh zone, where 70 cases have been reported to date. The areas of Yogipur, Chitraguptnagar, and Bankman’s Colony, plagued by dilapidated roads, open sewers, and stagnant water, are fostering conditions ideal for the proliferation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. Dr. Surendra Kumar, a local physician, noted that nearly 20 percent of his recent fever patients have tested positive for dengue, underscoring the severity of the situation.
In Azimabad, another hard-hit area, the number of dengue patients continues to climb, with over 100 cases reported in private clinics and hospitals. The situation has prompted the local government to initiate a series of measures aimed at curbing the outbreak. Special campaigns to spray larvicides and conduct fogging operations in affected areas are being planned, with the authorities closely monitoring the situation.
The Patna district administration, under the direction of District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh, has urged executive officers to intensify these preventive measures. A special meeting to address the dengue crisis is also scheduled for next week.
In addition to Patna, dengue cases are spreading across the state, with hospitals in various districts reporting an increasing number of patients. Muzaffarpur, in particular, has detected dengue-carrying larvae in samples brought from the Shabajpur Radhopur area. As the number of cases continues to rise, the state health department has issued advisories to district administrations, emphasizing the need for preparedness. Hospitals have been instructed to reserve beds specifically for dengue patients, and efforts are being made to ensure an adequate supply of medicines and platelets.
Despite the rising numbers, health officials assure that there is no shortage of resources. Dr. Ashok Kumar, Additional Director-cum-State Programme Officer for Malaria, confirmed that free medicines and platelets are available in sufficient quantities, and that all necessary measures are being taken to manage the outbreak. However, with the death toll rising and the number of cases showing no sign of abating, the dengue crisis in Bihar remains a significant public health challenge.
