The Eastern Voice correspondent

Patna: The Patna Health Department has identified 18 high-risk areas as dengue hotspots after a rise in early monsoon cases. These areas are Bazaar Samiti, Pataliputra, Kankarbagh, Gardanibagh, Rajeev Nagar, Shastri Nagar, the PMCH surrounding area, Chamarichak (Danapur), Phulwari Sharif, Indrapuri, Kumhrar, Jakkanpur, Bhagwat Nagar, Bhikhna Pahari, Alamganj, Bankipur, Mainpura, and Mahendru/Transport Nagar.

To stop mosquito breeding, the Health Department and the Patna Municipal Corporation have started targeted larvicidal spraying and made fogging mandatory three times a day in these areas. Major government hospitals, including PMCH, AIIMS Patna, IGIMS, and NMCH, have set up dedicated dengue wards with reserved beds and ICU facilities. Free dengue testing kits have also been provided to local primary health centers.