Rise in Number of Dengue Cases Worries Officials

BENGALURU: Dengue cases have risen in the city despite preventive steps taken by the Health Department and Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, health officials have said.

In 2014, 3,047 cases of dengue and 877 cases of Chikungunya were reported in the state. Of this, 781 cases of dengue and 150 cases of chikungunya were reported in Bengaluru alone. Similarly, Mangaluru recorded 122 and Ballari 445 dengue cases.

“These cities account for more than 50 per cent of the vector-borne disease. Therefore, the Health Department and city municipal corporations will coordinate and intensify the programme of education to gangmen and link workers. The officials will have to carry out information education and communication programmes effectively,” Health Minister U T Khader told Express.

“Though the incidence of dengue decreased in the state overall compared to 2013, it rose in Bengaluru and other cities which is worrying, Khader said. DHOs have been directed to prepare an action plan in advance to tackle the vector-borne disease, which tends to spread faster from March, he said.

BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana said he would instruct deputy health officers in each zone to implement the corporation and health department’s programmes and policies in all the areas.

The link workers and gangmen have already been instructed to spray chemicals to kill larvae, he said. “Larvae killing chemicals will be sprayed at all garbage collection points as these may serve as water collecting points where the larvae thrive,” BBMP medical officer Manoranjan Hegde said.

BBMP plans to use two power spraying vehicles for each Assembly constituency. This will contain the vector borne disease, he said. Similar instructions have been issued in other cities as well to keep track of vulnerable zones like slums and areas that face water supply problems in the coming days.

“Open water tanks and containers, and garbage-like coconut shells, tyres, pots etc. all have to be cleared as they are the sources of mosquito breeding. Health inspectors in city corporations have to monitor such activity,” an official said.

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