The metropolis faces a premature threat of dengue, a risk that has been further exacerbated by recent rainfall. According to medical experts, a noticeable surge in mosquito populations became evident alongside the changing weather patterns. Mosquito numbers were already rising rapidly across every part of the city; this trend is now likely to intensify further, as mosquito populations typically increase following every spell of rain. According to hospital reports, the number of dengue patients has already exceeded 100. In contrast, the Health Department has declared 83 patients “negative” under the guise of “cross-checking,” while only one patient has been officially confirmed as positive so far.
According to experts, each hospital conducts dengue testing and subsequent treatment based on its own specific protocols, enabling patients to recover and return home. However, reports of samples sent to the Health Department for cross-checking are often submitted with significant delays. Due to the passage of time and the lack of lab-specific sample handling protocols, patient reports frequently return as “false negatives.” Experts emphasized that it is crucial to store patient blood samples at a prescribed temperature; failure to do so can compromise the accuracy of the test results. The critical question now remains whether or not the Health Department adheres to the prescribed standards for sample preservation.
**Preparations for Dengue Prevention Remain Incomplete**
To date, the Health Department has compiled reports on 83 patients under the pretext of cross-checking. However, reports are not being consistently submitted to the Health Department by every hospital. Notably, the Health Department has neither issued any official circular to the hospitals regarding this matter, nor has it held any meetings with hospital representatives to mandate the immediate submission of reports for all suspected and confirmed dengue patients on the very day of diagnosis. It remains unclear whether the Health Department has, as yet, procured the necessary stock of chemicals for spraying operations, or if teams have been constituted to conduct focal spraying and inspect for Dengue larvae. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether Gambusia fish—known for consuming Dengue mosquito larvae—are actually being maintained in the designated small pond, as the site currently appears to be cluttered with scrap material rather than containing fish.
**Lack of Coordination with the Municipal Corporation**
To combat mosquitoes this year, the Health Department has failed to establish any coordination with the Municipal Corporation that would allow for a mutual consensus on formulating a schedule for fogging operations. Experts warn that while the current number of patients may not be high, negligence could lead to a sudden surge in cases. Experts also believe that unseasonal rainfall could trigger an outbreak of Dengue earlier than anticipated.
