Thirty cases of dengue have been reported at Puthupady at Thamarassery foothills and the Health Department has already swung into action to identify the cause and eliminate it, in order to prevent further cases.
When as many as 30 cases could occur in one area, it reflected poor elimination of breeding sources in a residential cluster. These point at the rising mosquito density in the rural areas, where awareness on the need to eliminate breeding sources is low compared to the city, said S. Vinod, senior biologist at the District Vector Control Unit.
The density in this area was found to be 14 Aedes aegypti (female) mosquitoes per house. Ten and above was a potential risk situation.
Mr. Vinod said all types of receptacles that could hold rainwater should be disposed of safely to prevent mosquito breeding. This awareness had to spread deep into the rural areas also.
Asked about the situation in the city, he said the density was much lower and relatively safer because of an intensive drive that was carried out over the last three months.
