Dengue seems to be taking a toll every day in West Bengal, especially in rural pockets of the state, with the number of cases crossing 15,000 by Sunday afternoon. According to state health department statistics, the total number of victims so far this season is 15,272, of which 10,321 are reported from rural areas, while the remaining 4,951 are from urban areas.
After Nadia, the maximum number of cases were reported from North 24 Parganas district.
The total number of dengue deaths in the state is 24.
The latest death was reported from Dakshin Dum Dum in North 24 Parganas district on Sunday evening and the deceased was identified as Pritam Bhowmik by the state police.
Sources in the state health department said that without proper awareness among the local population, administrative initiatives alone cannot stop the spread of dengue.
“Despite regular awareness programs conducted by various administrative units, people continue to allow stagnant water inside their residences or housing complexes,” said a state government official.
Opposition parties have accused the state government of underestimating the number of infected and dead people. They complained that dengue-related deaths were often referred to as “deaths due to unknown fever”.
