Karnataka Dengue Cases: With the onset of monsoon, India is reeling under the menace of vector-borne diseases. In Karnataka, the rising incidences of dengue has become a cause of concern.
Total dengue cases in Karnataka have breached the 10,000 mark touching 10,449 cases.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, the state recorded 487 fresh cases and the total number of active cases in the state has reached 358. 128 of them are hospitalised. The total cases of hospitalised patients are highest in BBMP limits with 141, followed by 23 each from Mandya and Tumakuru, and 19 in Dharwad, as per media reports.
On Tuesday, 4,572 tests were conducted, taking the total tests to 78,489. BBMP topped the list with 2,724 tests, followed by Hassan with 244 tests, Chikkamagaluru with 208 tests and Udupi with 199 tests. To date, the state has recorded eight dengue deaths, and the fatality rate is at 0.07%.
On Monday, a nine-year-old boy died of suspected dengue at HIMS hospital in Hassan. In 2023, Karnataka had recorded 19,300 dengue cases, the highest in the last 10 years. The highest number of deaths were reported in 2019 with 17 patients succumbing to the vector-borne disease, followed by 11 in 2023. In 2024, seven deaths have been reported so far.
As the dengue cases continue to rise, the State Health Department on Wednesday said preventive measures have been taken to control the disease from spreading further, as per PTI report.
Meanwhile, the Health Department said a meeting under the Chairmanship of Mission Director – National Health Mission, with District Health Officers and District Vector Borne Disease Control Officers was convened to review preparedness for dengue control. Weekly meetings from the State Programme Division with District Programme Officers are also being done to oversee implementation of control measures, it was stated. Amid the rise in dengue cases, rigorous efforts are being taken to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding sites.
On July 11, the Karnataka health department set up a war-room to closely monitor dengue patients.
How to prevent dengue infection?
The mosquitoes that spread dengue are active during the day. According to WHO, lower the risk of getting dengue by protecting yourself from mosquito bites by using:
- clothes that cover as much of your body as possible;
- mosquito nets if sleeping during the day, ideally nets sprayed with insect repellent;
- window screens;
- mosquito repellents (containing DEET, Picaridin or IR3535); and
- coils and vaporizers.
Mosquito breeding can be prevented by:
- preventing mosquitoes from accessing egg-laying habitats by environmental management and modification;
- disposing of solid waste properly and removing artificial man-made habitats that can hold water;
- covering, emptying and cleaning domestic water storage containers on a weekly basis;
- applying appropriate insecticides to outdoor water storage containers.