Amidst outbreak of Dengue in bordering Dhanpur area of Sepahijala district and few other parts of Tripura, till date altogether 182 positive cases confirmed by the Health department and government has already deployed medical teams in all border land ports in the state to keep a vigil on travellers from Bangladesh along with other measures.

Addressing a press conference at the conference hall of National Health Mission (NHM) in Agartala, a team of specialist doctors of the state led by Director of Family Welfare and Preventive Medicine Dr Supriya Mallik said that massive awareness drives has been started in Dengue affected areas along with proper measures to contain the outbreak.

He said that authorities of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GB Hospital have also started operation of a separate medical ward for dengue patients with capacity of 30 beds at ‘Jayanti ward’ of GB Hospital.

Dr Mallik said that the department has deployed specialist doctors at Dhanpur primary health centre (PHC) along with other administrative teams for detection of any dengue cases and cleanliness drive in association of local administration.

The teams are visiting all affected villages and have taken protection measures to contain further spread of the victor borne diseases.

Dr Mallik claimed that dengue was spreading from neighbouring Bangladesh, where the situation has already become alarming. He said among 182 positive cases, 158 dengue cases were detected from Dhanpur, while 24 more cases were detected from Mohanpur subdivision and Kanchanmala area of West Tripura district.

While, Dr Mallik claimed that there has been no death due to dengue in the state yet, but all precautionary measures are being taken. On the death of a 72-year-old person from Melaghar who was suffering from high fever and other complications, he said, "We have formed a medical team to check if the death was really due to dengue or something else."

A six-member Rapid Response Team (RRT) with specialist doctors has been set up for conducting special screenings in the potential dengue pockets, he said, adding that tests are also being done at the three immigration check posts at the Bangladesh border.

Speaking in the press met Dr Tapan Majumder, head of Microbiology department oif AGMC said that the situation is under control and all necessary kits and medicines were made available in Dhanpur and Kathalia hospitals. For confirmation of the Dengue case, the central laboratory of AGMC is conducting an aliaga test.

The doctors said that at present only 32 dengue patients are being admitted to GB Hospital and except one patient, all are in stable condition.

The Health Department officials said a surge in fever cases started getting reported on July 13 and surveillance medical teams started visiting Dhanpur on July 21. It said the situation has been routinely monitored. Fogging and anti-mosquito spraying are being continued in affected areas besides house-to-house visits by volunteers for source reduction, the department added.

After the Srimantapur border, the government has also deployed health teams at Agartala integrated check post and other land ports of the state to keep a vigil on travellers from Bangladesh, where dengue has taken an alarming shape. Those who are carrying dengue test certificates are being allowed to enter the state without any medical intervention, said doctors