Three dengue cases were reported in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) area this month, raising concerns over such cases in the winters. Many residents said mosquito bites had increased sharply in the last few days. Sources said two persons had tested dengue-positive and that they had travel history. At least 10 persons were tested positive for dengue in December, sources said.

Fogging to kill adult mosquitoes was stopped following the advisory of the state government for the past few months. Larvicide is not sprayed now as it may not work due to lack of natural habitats and dry conditions, SMC officials said. But at many places, discarded plastic cups and plastic containers were found filled with water, an ideal condition for the Aedes mosquito to breed. A fresh round of house-to-house survey to check the stagnant water is yet to be started.

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“Three dengue cases have been reported this month so far in wards 4, 20 and 45. A resident of ward 20 who has been tested-positive had visited Kolkata and another resident of ward 45 had travelled to Lataguri. Both developed fever three days after their return to the town,” a source said. The delay in opening of the cell for disease control at the SMC has also triggered questions. The decision to open the cell was taken to keep a vigil in the wake of the unprecedented surge in dengue cases in the town last year. The decision was approved in an SMC board meeting around two months ago. “It seems that the battery of the cell has dried up before taking off,” said the leader of the Opposition and BJP councillor Amit Jain. Member of mayor-incouncil of the health wing of the SMC Dulal Dutta said they were monitoring the situation and the cell will be opened soon.

“We are taking appropriate steps,” Mr Dutta said. Health department officials, on the other hand, said they were concerned about the number of dengue cases. Entomologists have said that public awareness is key to addressing the situation. “Widespread awareness is required among the residents so that they do not let fresh water accumulate in the households and prevent water accumulation at construction sites. It is usually expected that mosquitoes will breed more during rains. Therefore, it is natural that the number of dengue cases will go up post-monsoon,” they said. Residents of many wards complained of mosquito menace.

“Winters are still prevailing and the bites are unabated. It is unnatural to me,” said a resident of Hakim Para Mayukh Mukherjee. The civic body recorded around 5000 cases and at least 23 dengue positive persons have died till early December last year. Child Protection Committee: The child protection committee in urban and local areas headed by Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb as its chairman was constituted yesterday. Representatives of two voluntary organizations, which work for child rights, two parents, and representatives of the police, will be included in the committee, which will be functioning under the department of women and child development and social welfare, official said. In the civic body area, such committees will be set up at borough and ward levels.

Mr Deb said the community-based committee will work for the protection of child rights. Encroachment of drains The Siliguri Municipal Corporation has removed some encroachment. Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb said they had found many buildings encroaching on drain areas on Sevoke Road. Covered slabs, staircases and shops had been constructed on the drains, Mr Deb, officials, and engineers visited the area. The PWD will construct high drains there, it is learnt.