BENGALURU: While the rising number of dengue cases in the state continues to haunt the State Health Department, another vector-borne disease, chikungunya, is also giving them a tough time. The number of confirmed cases of dengue is 3,919, while that of chikungunya is 1,583 till September-end.
The number of chikungunya cases is more than double when compared to last year’s data for the same period since January, but Health Department officials are underplaying the incidents by saying there is “nothing to worry”.
“Last year, 507 cases were reported and no district crossed the 100-figure mark. However, this year, five districts have reported more than 100 cases,” an official said.
State survelliance officer B G Prakash said, “The number of cases is more than last year, but there is nothing to worry. Chikungunya is not fatal and only causes joint pain after the fever subsides. The pain may last for 15 days to one month.”
He added that this situation was due to intermittent rain that has been lashing the state since March. There were more cases in July and August, but the situation returned to normal in September, he said.
“The North-East Monsoon will be active and will last till November and as there are chances of an increase in vector-borne cases, we have issued circulars to District Health Officers, District Surgeons and District-level Surveillance Officers to be alert and intensify the measures to prevent dengue and chikungunya cases,” he added.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike reported the highest number of cases with 432, followed by Bengaluru Urban that reported 291 cases.
The cases were confirmed by 1mg Mac Elisa test, a standard process to confirm vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, an official said.
BBMP Chief Health Officer Vatsala said that health inspectors in all the eight zones of BBMP have been instructed to keep a watch on a regular house-to-house survey and ensure early detection to bring the number of cases down by carrying out effective fogging and spraying in the area from where a fever was reported.
The Health Department has also instructed District Health Officers in areas where more cases are reported to conduct awareness programmes at schools, interaction with media such as TV, radio and newspaper.
Regular monitoring by ASHA workers who take the healthcare system to the village-level was also advised.
The numbers say it all
BBMP 432
BENGALURU URBAN 291
KOLAR 129
TUMAKURU 169
CHITRADURGA 122