BMC maps 3 high-risk areas to prevent dengue cases
2
3
Bhubaneswar: With the city reporting 174 dengue cases till Friday, up from 104 two weeks ago, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has mapped three high-risk zones — Patia, Chandrasekharpur and Nayapalli — to chalk out preventive strategies.
Patia and Chandrasekharpur usually figure in the high-risk zones every year because of the presence of slums and mosquito breeding sources.
"We destroyed around 10,000 mosquito breeding sources, more in the affected areas. Industrial clusters, parks and open spaces are also being covered. Aedes mosquitoes, which cause dengue, were found mostly in containers outside rather than in household samples, contrary to last year's trend," said city health officer Deepak Bisoyi.
In 20 household samples, Aedes mosquitoes were found, while water samples in as many as 30 containers contained its larvae. BMC allayed fears by stating the test positivity rate was around 1.3% per 100 samples, which is not alarming.
In July this year, more than 90 dengue cases were detected by BMC, which is far less than the figures from the same period last year. Last July, 249 cases were detected in Khurda district, of which 211 were in Bhubaneswar.
BMC officials said they have not been able to carry out chemical fogging because of rain. "We will take up fogging very soon as the weather is expected to normalise in a day or two. All mosquito breeding sources have been destroyed," said Bisoyi.
Earlier, the BMC wrote to industrial clusters, various offices, and agencies maintaining parks to take strict measures to demolish mosquito breeding sources. Industrial premises, parks and vacant spaces mostly turn into mosquito dens during the monsoon until Oct, officials said.
"Clean water remaining stagnant in such places ultimately turn into mosquito larvae grounds," said the BMC officer.
BMC officials said 100 more volunteers have been engaged, apart from regular personnel, improving surveillance. The volunteers focus on generating awareness and reducing mosquito breeding sources. The urban malaria surveillance unit (UMSU) has been overseeing the initiative, the BMC officer said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
From 'mild jaundice' to liver transplants: How Hepatitis A is turning deadly for adults in India
Hepatitis viruses B and C have long been regarded as the more dangerous members of the hepatitis family due to their association with liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, hepatologists in Mumbai are now observing a surprising shift in the pattern of infections. While new Hepatitis C cases are dwindling, Hepatitis A, once associated primarily with mild childhood jaundice, is now causing severe illness in adults. 'Hepatitis A is emerging as a major threat, causing significant liver disease in adults and, in rare cases, liver failure,' said Dr Akash Shukla, head of gastroenterology at the BMC-run KEM Hospital, Parel, and a member of the technical resource group for the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme , in an interview with The Times of India (TOI). Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Degree Finance Leadership healthcare Product Management Operations Management Public Policy CXO Project Management Others Data Analytics Technology Healthcare Data Science Digital Marketing Management Data Science MCA PGDM Artificial Intelligence others MBA Cybersecurity Design Thinking Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Leadership and Transformation Global Business Acumen Comprehensive Business Expertise Duration: 2 Years University of Western Australia UWA Global MBA Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details Dr Aabha Nagral, senior hepatologist, concurred, telling TOI, 'As living standards improve in India, especially in urban centres like Mumbai, many individuals are not exposed to the Hepatitis A virus in childhood. As a result, they don't develop immunity, and adult infections can be much more severe.' Hepatitis C: On the Brink of Elimination? Since the introduction of direct-acting antiviral treatment under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme in July 2018, doctors report a drastic fall in new Hepatitis C infections. 'New cases are becoming rare, which suggests the national programme has been effective,' Dr Shukla told TOI. According to data from Maharashtra's health department, over 28 lakh people were tested for Hepatitis C in 2024–2025, with 9,476 testing positive. Of these, 2,102 have commenced the curative three-month course. By comparison, only 1,339 Hepatitis C cases were recorded in 2021–2022. Live Events Dr Parijat Gupte, a gastroenterologist at Jupiter Hospital in Thane, attributed the drop to improved screening at blood banks and increased public awareness. 'There are virtually no new infections. We recommend that people who underwent blood transfusions before 2000 get tested, as they can now be treated and cured,' he said. Doctors remain optimistic that Hepatitis C could be eliminated by 2030, in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) targets. Hepatitis B Remains a Major Concern While progress has been made on Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B remains a formidable challenge. WHO has set a goal of reducing hepatitis cases by 95% by 2030, but experts believe that Hepatitis B could take 'a decade or more' to show meaningful decline. 'Hepatitis B is one of the most infectious viruses, with a tendency to reactivate. Current treatment aims to suppress the virus rather than eliminate it,' Dr Shukla explained to TOI. State health data reveals that confirmed Hepatitis B cases rose sharply, from 9,000 in 2021–2022 to over 65,000 in 2024–2025, including 23,000 among pregnant women. Dr Sharan Shivaji Narute from Medicover Hospitals, Pune, highlighted the case of a 53-year-old man who required a liver transplant after battling chronic Hepatitis B. 'At one point, we were draining up to 13 litres of fluid from his body each session. In June 2024, his son donated a portion of his liver. The transplant was a success,' he said. Testing Uptick and Expanded Access Increased testing capacity is reshaping India's hepatitis outlook. Shiva Sriram of Molbio Diagnostics told TOI that improved diagnostics have made a significant impact. Their Truenat machines saw a 150% rise in Hepatitis B tests (from 3,060 to 7,705) and a five-fold jump in Hepatitis C tests (from 475 to 2,475) between 2023–24 and 2024–25 in Maharashtra. Though tests for Hepatitis A and E remain relatively low despite seasonal spikes, especially during monsoon, Sriram anticipates this will change as the Union Government is reportedly planning to deploy Truenat machines to all 40,000 primary health centres in the next two years. Pregnant Women at Increased Risk Doctors warn that pregnant women are especially vulnerable to Hepatitis A and E, which are primarily spread through contaminated food and water. A recent case in Pune underscored the risk. A 32-year-old pregnant woman admitted with vomiting and fever was initially misdiagnosed with morning sickness. Elevated liver enzymes revealed it was Hepatitis A. 'She had a history of eating food from outside. Her eyes and urine were bright yellow. Fortunately, she responded well to intravenous fluids and medication,' said Dr Padma Srivastava, her gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, in a statement to TOI. Dr Nitin Gupte, gynaecologist at Apollo Spectra in Pune, added that 2 to 3 out of every 10 pregnant women in his outpatient department show symptoms of hepatitis. 'It can even affect the unborn child,' he cautioned. Inputs from TOI
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Dr Sudhir Medhekar reinstated as Cooper college's academic dean three days after removal
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday reinstated Dr Sudhir Medhekar as the academic dean of HBT Medical College and Dr RN Cooper Municipal General Hospital, just three days after he was removed from the position. Dr Sudhir Medhekar reinstated as Cooper college's academic dean three days after removal Dr Medhekar was relieved of his duties on July 23 by deputy municipal commissioner (public health) Sharad Ughade following allegations of administrative irregularities. He was stripped of all administrative and financial powers and confined to his original role in the dermatology department, as a probe was initiated into alleged lapses at various levels of the college's administration. In the interim, Dr Neelam Andrade, director of all BMC-run hospitals, was given charge of administrative responsibilities at Cooper. However, BMC officials had indicated to Hindustan Times that the decision to remove Dr Medhekar was under review. On Friday, the BMC formally reinstated him as the academic head of the college, in charge of overseeing its educational functions. 'After deliberation, we have decided that Dr Sudhir Medhekar will continue as academic dean,' a senior BMC official said. 'However, we have received multiple complaints regarding administrative issues in the college. These will be investigated, and the next course of action will be based on the findings.' Dr Andrade will continue as administrative dean, handling day-to-day operations of the hospital. Dr Medhekar declined to comment on the development. Among the faculty, opinion about Dr Medhekar is divided. Some colleagues described him as a disciplined administrator who ensured timely completion of tasks. 'He was strict, but he got things done,' said a senior doctor at the college. However, other officials had earlier raised concerns about his management style. One senior BMC officer alleged irregularities in tenders and contracts during Dr Medhekar's tenure, claiming that delays in contractor payments had disrupted hospital services and led to threats of strikes from some staffers. Resident doctors also expressed dissatisfaction over the state of administrative affairs. One pointed to a lack of coordination between committees and minimal visible improvements despite frequent staff reshuffles. 'If he was strict, at least there would have been some results on the ground,' said a resident doctor, requesting anonymity. Doctors also flagged long-standing issues such as pay disparities between resident doctors from Diplomate of National Board (DNB) programmes and those from MD-MS courses. While DNB doctors work on contract, their MD-MS counterparts are full-time employees, leading to frustration and recent representations to the municipal commissioner. Contractual cleaning staff, too, have reportedly not been paid in over four months, adding to the administrative discontent. 'He frequently transferred and suspended administrative personnel, which worsened manpower shortages and disrupted functioning,' another resident said. The BMC's investigation into the complaints continues even as Dr Medhekar resumes academic responsibilities at the college.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
Hepatitis A is getting serious, C is on the decline, but B remains a concern
Mumbai/Pune: Hepatitis viruses B and C have always been "scarier" than their siblings A, D, and E due to their link to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, hepatologists in Mumbai are now noticing subtle changes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While new cases of are becoming scarce, Hepatitis A—associated with childhood jaundice— is severely affecting adults. "Hepatitis A is emerging as a big enemy, causing liver disease in adults and, in some rare cases, failure," said Dr Akash Shukla, head of gastroenterology in BMC-run KEM Hospital, Parel, and a member of the technical resource group for the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme. Senior hepatologist Dr Aabha Nagral concurred: "As the general standard of living in India, especially metros such as Mumbai, has improved, people are no longer getting exposed to the hepatitis A virus in their childhood. They don't gain immunity against it and hence could suffer from severe disease if affected in adulthood." Hep C elimination by 2030? Almost six years after the direct-acting antiviral Hepatitis C treatment—a "sureshot cure"—was made available for free through the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme in July 2018, there are fewer new patients coming in at private hospitals. "New patients coming in with Hepatitis C has dropped, indicating that the national programme has worked well," said Dr Shukla. Data from the state health department shows that 28 lakh people across the state were tested for Hepatitis C in 2024-2025, with 9,476 testing positive. Of these, 8,270 were subjected to further tests, and 2,102 were started on the three-month curative treatment. Incidentally, in 2021-2022, the state had 1,339 Hepatitis C cases. Gastroenterologist Dr Parijat Gupte from Jupiter Hospital, Thane, attributes "nil" new Hepatitis C infections to better protocols at blood banks and awareness about sharing of needles. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Ideally, people who underwent blood transfusions before 2000 (when testing donated blood for the virus became mandatory) should be asked to undergo a test for the virus. They can be put on treatment and cured," he said. In other words, Hepatitis C could be eliminated by 2030 as per the World Health Organisation's schedule, said doctors. Hep B still scary The WHO has a clear target for hepatitis viruses: A 95% reduction in cases by 2030. But Hepatitis B, considered to be one of the most infectious viruses, is still a "decade or more" away from any reduction in incidence, said doctors. This is because of its peculiar genetic structure and ability to reactivate; present treatment focuses on checking the multiplication of the virus and preventing liver cirrhosis and cancer. Maharashtra health department data shows the number of confirmed Hepatitis B cases went up from 9,000 in 2021-2022 to 65,000 last year, including 23,000 pregnant women. Dr Sharan Shivaji Narute from Medicover Hospitals, Pune, spoke about a 53-year-old male who underwent a liver transplant after suffering from Hepatitis B since Feb 2021. "We would need to drain up to 13 litres of fluid from his body each time. In June 2024, his son donated part of his liver, and the transplant was a success," said the doctor, adding untreated or late-diagnosed Hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver transplants in the world. More testing Shiva Sriram from Molbio Diagnostics said better availability of diagnostic facilities has brought about a change in the hepatitis situation in the country. Testing through the company's Truenat machines available in Maharashtra saw a 150% spike in Hepatitis B tests (from 3,060 to 7,705) and a five-fold increase in Hepatitis C tests (from 475 to 2,475) from 2023-24 to 2024-25. Tests for Hepatitis A and E were relatively low despite seasonal outbreaks, particularly during monsoon. But Sriram expects this to change as the union govt has reportedly decided to provide a Truenat machine in each of the 40,000 primary health centres across the country in the next two years. Pregnant are vulnerable When a 32-year-old pregnant woman was recently admitted to a hospital in Pune with fever and vomiting, it was initially misconstrued as morning sickness. However, her elevated liver enzymes showed Hepatitis A. "She had a history of eating outside food. Her eyes and urine were bright yellow. Fortunately, she could be treated through IV fluids and medicines," said Dr Padma Srivastava, the gynaecologist treating her at Motherhood Hospitals. Hepatitis E and A, commonly reported during rains, are caused through contaminated water and food. Gynaecologist Dr Nitin Gupte from Apollo Spectra in Pune said, "In our OPD, 2 to 3 out of 10 pregnant women present with hepatitis symptoms." Hepatitis will even affect the kid, said doctors.
