Pune records 2,413 dengue cases till October 20; civic body steps up anti-mosquito drive

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has stepped up efforts to curb dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases in the city. Between January and October 20, 2026, 2,413 dengue cases were recorded in Pune. The civic body has since intensified house-to-house surveys, mosquito control measures, hospital preparedness and public awareness work across the city.

A review meeting was held under Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur to assess the situation. The corporation's health officer, assistant health officers, ward medical officers (WMOs), zonal medical officers (ZMOs) and the district malaria officer attended. Representatives of the building department and the anti-encroachment department also took part.

Of the cases recorded this year, 568 were reported in August, 726 in September and 553 in October up to the 20th.

In the house-to-house survey, PMC teams reached about 14 lakh homes and checked 28,31,386 water containers. Aedes mosquito larvae were found in 18,885 containers in 13,000 homes. The corporation issued notices to 2,664 property owners for conditions that allow mosquitoes to breed and collected Rs 6.30 lakh in fines.

For free dengue testing, the PMC has made rapid diagnostic kits (RDKs) available at all its dispensaries. Confirmatory tests are also free and are done at designated sentinel centres, which include Dr Naidu Hospital, Dr Kotnis Hospital and Kamla Nehru Hospital.

The corporation has directed all hospitals, government and private, to enter dengue patients' details on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal and not to make duplicate entries for the same patient.

On treatment facilities, the corporation said private hospitals in Pune have a total of 4,409 beds, including 670 ICU beds. PMC hospitals have 333 beds, including six ICU beds. According to the corporation, about 50 per cent of beds remain vacant on average.

Dr Naidu Hospital has kept 50 beds for dengue patients. Of these, 35 are vacant, and 10 to 15 beds are occupied daily. Treatment there is free. Officials have also said patients with severe symptoms should get immediate treatment at Kamla Nehru Hospital and Dr Naidu Hospital. Mosquito nets have been made mandatory in all dengue wards.

The PMC is giving priority to spraying and other preventive work in areas reporting more cases. Officials have told teams not to fog open areas needlessly. Instead, fogging should be done for 20 minutes inside the patient's house and in enclosed spaces around it.

The corporation will also regularly add biological larvicide to stored water, especially in residential areas where people store water when the supply is cut off.

Under an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign, audio messages on dengue prevention are being played daily on garbage collection vehicles. Audio drives carrying awareness messages have been distributed to all 15 ward offices.

The PMC is also reaching out to housing societies, whose chairpersons are being asked to keep terraces and water tanks clean. Schools have been asked to hold essay and drawing competitions to spread awareness among children.

The corporation has appealed to residents to observe a dry day once a week, that is, to empty water containers and remove stagnant water so that mosquitoes do not breed. People have also been asked to keep water tanks covered and cooperate with the corporation's inspection teams.

The PMC has said there is no need to panic and that hospitals across the city have the beds required. Citizens have been asked to consult a doctor in time and follow the doctor's advice.