Centre commends West Bengal’s aggressive dengue control measures

Following a noticeable drop in dengue fever reports across Kolkata and surrounding districts, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a statement lauding the West Bengal government’s intensified vector‑control campaign. The state deployed additional fogging units, launched community‑awareness drives, and accelerated the removal of stagnant water sources in densely populated neighborhoods. Health officials reported that these coordinated actions contributed to a reduction of over thirty percent in confirmed cases compared with the same period last year.

The success, however, masks underlying challenges. Municipal authorities continue to grapple with inadequate waste‑management infrastructure, which creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes in informal settlements. Moreover, the rapid urbanisation of peri‑urban zones has outpaced the capacity of existing health surveillance systems, prompting calls for upgraded data‑collection tools. Critics argue that the current achievements rely heavily on short‑term interventions and caution that without sustained funding, the gains may be fleeting.

Looking ahead, the state plans to institutionalise a dengue‑early‑warning network that integrates satellite imagery, climate forecasts, and real‑time case reporting. If operationalised effectively, the model could be replicated in other high‑risk regions, potentially lowering the national disease burden. Over the next year, the reinforced focus on vector control may also influence budget allocations toward preventive health measures, reshaping the country’s approach to epidemic preparedness.