SNS, SILIGURI 2 JUNE 21 : A dengue-Covid-19 co-infection case detected in Siliguri has triggered concerns among the medical fraternity and officials alike here. At least two such cases were found in Jalpaiguri district last year.
HeaIth experts have warned that the combination could enhance severity of both the diseases.
The chairperson of the hoard of administrators at the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Gautam Deb, said a co-infection of dengue and Covid-19 had been found in Ward 29 in March. He said the civic body was taking steps on destroying mosquito breeding grounds. He said 388 fever cases had been reported so far.
"It appears that the number of cases is not high so far, but the emergence of co-infection of dengue and Covid-19 is expected to be a serious public health challenge. It is also difficult to distinguish symptoms of the two diseases due to overlapping initial clinical presentations and laboratory parameters," a doctor said.
The spells of rain have led to water accumulation, which might lead to breeding of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the vector of the dengue virus.
Siliguri received 127 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours, which was the highest in a single day received by the town so far this year. Between January and May this year, the town received 559.40 min of rainfall, while it received 292 mm in May. Siliguri had received 632.60 mm rainfall in between January and 2 June last year. Entomologists have said that larval habitat destruction was the first and safest method of dengue prevention.
According to Mr Deb, the civic body had destroyed several mosquito breeding sites under the corporation area.
"A total of 9,523 potential breeding sites of mosquitoes were found during the first phase of house-to-house survey, and 12383 sites outside houses. A total of 53579 peridomestic breeding grounds were also identified, including 60 areas where garbage is piled up. There were 21 blocks inside the drains where mosquito could breed. All those have been cleared. The survey covered 125082 houses. The second phase of the survey is set to begin. We are taking several steps to contain the spread of Covid-19 and possible spread of other viral diseases like dengue," he said.
Mr Deb attended a meeting of the urban development and municipal affairs on Covid-19 and vector-borne diseases today. He said the meeting decided that surveyors should be brought under the Covid vaccination programme.
Covid patients die
Around nine persons, who had tested positive for Covid-19, died in Siliguri in the past 24 hours, sources said. Eight persons died at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, while another person died at a private nursing home.
Siliguri sees dip in Covid cases
SMC areas, including those under Jalpaiguri district today witnessed a further dip in the daily Covid cases, with the figures falling to double digits for the first time in several days. The town detected 97 new cases, while the entire Darjeeling district counted 340 fresh cases.
340 cases in Darjeeling district
Darjeeling Municipality saw four cases, Kurseong Municipality 11, Bijanbari 15, Sukhia Pokhari four, Sukna seven, Takdah two, Mirik 40, Kharibari 18, Matigara 85, Naxalbari 30 and Phansidewa 45.
Also today, 470 Covid patients were either discharged from government facilities or they ended their home isolation period after recovery, the sources said.
That's the article: Dengue-Covid co-infection case a concern in Siliguri : Covid patients die:Siliguri sees dip in Covid cases
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