Pune: Corporators on Wednesday criticised Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for allegedly failing to curb mosquito breeding and related infections, three days after a suspected dengue death in the city. Civic health officials, however, maintained that preventive efforts had been stepped up.An eight-year-old Lohegaon girl died of suspected dengue at Ruby Hall Clinic on Sunday. After four to five days of fever and abdominal pain, tests confirmed dengue, a press release issued by the hospital said. Shifted in critical condition, she developed severe shock, liver injury, kidney failure and multi-organ dysfunction, it stated.PMC standing committee member Suhas Tingre accused the administration of not doing enough to control the mosquito-borne infection, questioning its inability to undertake fogging and related measures due to the expiry of a contractor’s tenure. “PMC must find alternatives to provide services in such serious health situations,” he told TOI.The city reported 2,413 dengue cases between Jan 1 and Oct 20, 2026, including 568 cases in Aug, 726 in Sept and 553 in Oct.The civic body has also made rapid diagnostic kits (RDKs) available free of cost at all PMC dispensaries to ensure early detection. “Confirmatory testing facilities have also been arranged at sentinel centres, including Dr Naidu Hospital, Dr Kotnis Hospital and Kamala Nehru Hospital,” an official said.Dr Naidu Hospital has reserved 50 beds for dengue patients, with officials saying only 10 to 15 are occupied on average day and that treatment is provided free of cost.Assistant medical officer Rajesh Dighe said PMC teams had been directed to prioritise insecticide spraying and preventive action in the vulnerable areas. “Fogging is being undertaken inside affected homes and adjoining enclosed spaces rather than indiscriminately in open areas,” he said.PMC has also urged residents not to panic, citing adequate treatment capacity. According to the civic body, private hospitals currently have 4,409 beds, including 670 ICU beds, for dengue treatment. “Civic hospitals have 333 beds, including six ICU beds, available for the treatment. Nearly 50% of these beds remain vacant,” a senior official said, advising citizens not to insist on admission only at a few leading hospitals.As part of its surveillance drive, PMC teams inspected around 14 lakh houses and 28.31 lakh water-storage containers. Aedes mosquito larvae were detected in 18,885 containers across 13,000 houses. The civic body issued notices to 2,664 properties and collected Rs 6.3 lakh in fines for mosquito-breeding violations this year so far.
