PMC workers spray insecticide and larvicide near a patient’s house to control mosquito breeding
Pune: PMC has issued a notice to Ruby Hall Clinic, seeking an explanation for its alleged failure to promptly report a suspected dengue-positive case involving an eight-year-old girl who died on Oct 18. Aedes and dengue cases An analysis of PMC data showed that its jurisdiction recorded 4,908 dengue-positive cases in 2024 and 2,391 in 2025. As many as 2,291 dengue cases were reported between Jan and Oct 20, 2026.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in Pune Stay updated with the latest Pune news.
Dr Rajesh Dighe, assistant health officer of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), said, “A medical committee determines whether a death can be attributed to dengue. Dr Rajesh Dighe said, “Preliminary information suggested the girl had autoimmune disorders and asthma. Ram urged citizens to take necessary precautions, such as preventing water accumulation to curb mosquito breeding, especially the dengue-causing mosquito Aedes, but also said, “Currently, there is an adequate number of beds and a sufficient stock of medicines available in municipal hospitals for dengue.
The civic body has also directed the hospital to submit all relevant medical records and supporting documents to help ascertain the exact cause of death. PMC has asked the hospital to submit all case papers related to the girl and explain why it failed to inform the civic body about the dengue-positive case. The notice, addressed to the hospital manager, seeks details of the dengue test and a copy of the laboratory report. It also directs the hospital to send the positive blood sample to the National Institute of Virology through the cold chain for retesting. We would review the matter in detail and get back on the same. The death of the eight-year-old girl triggered an uproar in PMC standing committee, with corporators questioning the health department’s mosquito-control measures. She was also suspected of being dengue-positive. During the visit, Ram reviewed the measures being implemented by the civic body to combat the dengue outbreak, the total number of cases, the availability of hospital beds and the symptoms and causes of the disease. Citizens do not need to panic; if any symptoms of dengue appear, they should immediately contact the nearest hospital to seek medical care. ” Ram also strictly instructed the health, construction, encroachment and solid waste management departments to coordinate and implement all preventive measures on a war footing with special focus on preventing mosquito breeding. Officials attributed the trend to climate change, increased construction, large-scale water storage during supply cuts, and water stagnation in pots and trays used for indoor plants and gardens, which aid the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes. Under National Health Mission guidelines, only enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test results are used for the official reporting of dengue cases. Dengue is a notifiable disease, and private hospitals are required to promptly report cases to the civic body under central govt guidelines. Common diagnostic tests include the NS1 antigen test, which detects infection in the first five days of fever, and the RT-PCR test, which is most effective within the first seven days. IgM and IgG antibody tests are also used for diagnosis. IgM antibodies typically appear four to five days after symptoms begin, while IgG antibodies usually indicate a past or secondary infection. Download the TOI App.
In an official response to TOI , Dr Vivek Lal, medical director at Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune, said, “We have received the notice today and are currently evaluating its contents along with the relevant medical reports. Furthermore, Naval Kishore Ram, civic body commissioner, on Saturday visited the newly established Dr Naidu Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Baner.