Two die of dengue in Pune, including Lohegaon girl, 8; PMC faulted for lack of data

Lohegaon, October 22, 2026: Two people are reported to have died of dengue in Pune, including an eight-year-old girl from Lohegaon. Questions are now being asked about what preparations the Pune Municipal Corporation has made to stop the spread of the disease.

The health department was unable to give firm figures on how many dengue patients there are in the city, how many have died and how many are in serious condition. The city is also alleged to have no regular fogging, which has raised concern about mosquito control and public health.

The issue came up at a meeting of the standing committee. Members expressed strong displeasure that the administration could not give clear information on dengue cases and deaths. Standing committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale directed the administration to submit a detailed report at the next meeting, that is, within a week.

The meeting also asked whether hospitals and pathology labs regularly report dengue-related information to the corporation. It was also asked whether the health department keeps proper records of patients under treatment. The administration is said to have been unable to give clear figures for patients currently under treatment, serious cases and deaths caused by dengue.

After the death of the eight-year-old girl in Lohegaon, information was sought from the health department head, Dr Neena Borade. She is said to have replied that she would collect the details and provide them later. However, she could not give firm information at the standing committee meeting either.

Questions on fogging: Members asked why there is no fogging in the city even as the dengue threat grows. They said that curbing mosquito breeding and stepping up preventive measures are necessary. The committee demanded that adequate manpower be provided to strengthen mosquito control work.

Bhimale said orders have been given for the urgent recruitment of 265 staff. He also expressed displeasure at the health department's response, saying it should have taken preventive measures in time as dengue cases were rising.

Additional commissioner holds urgent meeting: After concern was raised over the dengue situation, Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur held an urgent meeting of health department officials. All ward offices have been instructed to carry out the necessary preventive measures.

Kaur said the eight-year-old girl in Lohegaon had other illnesses as well. She confirmed that an elderly woman in Gokhalenagar had died of dengue.

The health department has been directed to urgently collect patient information from government and private hospitals and clinics so that the extent of the spread can be understood.

The administration has had to scramble to collect patient details after the deaths. This has raised questions about whether dengue patients are monitored regularly and whether preventive measures are taken in time. The report due within a week is expected to show the state of dengue in Pune and the steps the corporation has taken to contain its spread.