Dengue Dynamics: Rising Tide in Semi-Urban Bengal

West Bengal's Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim addressed the Assembly with updates on the state's dengue situation. While urban areas, including Kolkata, show a decline in cases, semi-urban settlements are witnessing an increase.

Hakim, who also holds the position of Kolkata mayor, attributed the reduction in urban dengue cases to heightened public awareness about cleanliness. He highlighted that the city's numbers remain low compared to the rising trends in less developed regions.

Addressing legislative queries, the minister revealed statistics indicating a significant rise in dengue cases in semi-urban areas correlating with increased per capita income and the construction of more concrete buildings. This shift in infrastructure seems to contribute to the growing health challenge outside Kolkata.

(With inputs from agencies.)