New data deepen confusion over dengue spread in Bengal

40% of the blood samples sent to the NICED have tested positive for the disease

‘Whistle-blowers’: Left Front councillors of Kolkata Municipal Corporation demonstrating over the spread of dengue, inside the corporation headquarters on Wednesday.

About 40% of the 8,000 blood samples sent by the West Bengal government to the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) have tested positive for dengue, the institute’s authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

Dr. Shanta Dutta, the director of NICED, said that majority of the blood samples which tested positive were Den II (dengue strain type II). “There was also a significant number of DEN IV (dengue strain type IV) among the samples sent by the State’s Health Department,” she added.

There are four serotypes of the dengue virus — DEN 1, DEN 2, DEN 3 and DEN 4. Serotype is a distinct variation within a species of bacteria or virus.

According to the Bengal government’s latest estimate of dengue outbreak in the State, 40 people have died because of the disease while about 20,500 have been diagnosed with it.

Recently, there has been a controversy over the State government’s affidavit regarding dengue outbreak, with the Calcutta High Court expressing its displeasure over the lack of clarity in the submission.

In its affidavit submitted on November 9, the State government stated that since January this year, 18,135 dengue cases have been reported at government hospitals. “It is unfortunate that 19 patients died despite providing best possible care where the treatment is absolutely free of cost to any patient,” the State government said.

The affidavit, however, did not mention the number of dengue cases and deaths at private hospitals.

It also did not mention dengue while describing the reasons behind the “fever cases” in the State. “The fever cases during October 2017 could largely be attributed to a very abrupt behaviour of climate, severe and low rainfall conditions favouring transmission of vector-borne diseases, combined with huge movement of population during long holiday seasons,” the affidavit said. It was submitted in relation to three public interest litigations filed over the dengue outbreak in the State.

“Dissatisfied” with the affidavit, the Calcutta High Court asked the State government on Tuesday to submit updated information regarding the disease outbreak.