South Kolkata tops mosquito-breeding survey, cases near 4K

Kolkata: South Kolkata has emerged as the bigger mosquito-breeding hotspot, even as fever cases remain concentrated in parts of North Kolkata, according to findings from a three-day joint dengue-surveillance drive by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the state health department. It was learnt that the number of dengue affected cases reached nearly 4,000 in the state. State health department has started a drive against dengue and other vector borne diseases. KMC is also carrying out surveillance drives in Kolkata. A survey found the highest number of mosquito-larvae breeding sites in KMC's Borough X, covering areas including New Alipore, Tollygunge, Kasba, Dhakuria, Lake Gardens and Garfa. Larvae were detected at 326 locations in the borough. Borough XI followed with 217 breeding sites, while Borough XIV recorded 146. In comparison, fever cases were higher in North Kolkata. Borough II recorded the highest number, with 35 people found suffering from fever, followed by Borough IX, covering Alipore, Ekbalpore, Chetla and Mominpur, with 31 cases. Borough VIII, covering Bhawanipore, Gariahat and Rashbehari, was third. The teams also identified 76 construction sites with stagnant water, 56 vacant plots requiring immediate cleaning and 28 garbage-filled ponds and waterbodies.