Kolkata is witnessing a significant surge in dengue cases as temperatures continue to fluctuate unpredictably across the city. Health officials have reported a sharp increase in infections, raising concerns among residents and medical authorities alike.
Weekly Case Count Shows Alarming Rise
According to the latest data from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation health department, the city recorded 122 additional dengue cases in the week ending November 23 compared to the previous week. This substantial jump has pushed the total number of confirmed dengue infections to 1,501 cases until November 23.
The current figures present a worrying picture when compared to last year's statistics. During the same period in the previous year, Kolkata had reported slightly over 1,300 dengue cases, indicating that this year's outbreak is more severe.
Regional Variations in Dengue Spread
The pattern of dengue infection shows distinct variations across different parts of the city and surrounding areas. While most northern and central Kolkata neighborhoods, with the exception of the Cossipore-Baranagar belt, have seen a stabilization in case numbers, several southern Kolkata localities are experiencing a consistent rise.
Areas showing significant spikes include Park Circus, Ballygunge, Bhowanipore, New Alipore, and Kidderpore. These neighborhoods have reported steadily increasing dengue cases, prompting intensified municipal response measures.
BMC Area Records Mixed Trends
The situation in the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation area presents a complex scenario. The region has crossed the 400-case mark this year, with 17 new infections reported last week alone. November has been particularly concerning, with at least 104 dengue cases recorded - making it the highest monthly figure for 2024.
This represents a significant increase from October's 75 cases and September's 101 cases. However, there is some positive news from specific zones within the BMC area. The weekly dengue count has decreased in Salt Lake and Rajarhat-Gopalpur regions, and officials anticipate this declining trend to continue.
If current projections hold, 2024 could become the third lowest year for dengue cases in the BMC area since 2017. The lowest recorded number was in 2020 with 238 cases, followed by last year with 390 cases.
The most severely affected years in recent history were 2022 and 2023, when dengue impacted 4,222 and 3,956 people respectively in the BMC area. Civic authorities attribute the relatively better performance over the past two years to intensive dengue control measures implemented across the region.
Health officials emphasize that the fluctuating temperatures create ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit the dengue virus. They urge residents to eliminate stagnant water sources around their homes and use protective measures such as mosquito nets and repellents.
