Though the number of Dengue cases reported this year in the district so far is nowhere close to that of Thiruvananthapuram, which tops the chart at 723, Kozhikode at 213, is far from safe.
The highest number of Dengue cases was 50, reported in June when monsoon was at its peak. Then it was expected to decline, which did not happen.
In July, 31 cases were reported, in August it was 44, 33 in September, and 29 in October. This implies that despite intensive awareness programmes and door-to-door campaigns, the mosquito control measures in the district have largely failed.
Poor cooperation from the public in certain parts of Kozhikode Corporation and surrounding regions is cited as a major reason for the condition. “There is only so much the department can do. Even with a considerable shortage of staff, we have been conducting awareness programmes throughout the district. But people in regions like Puthiyappa, Beypore, and Elathur, which reported a spurt this year, have a casual approach towards the issue. They seem to be oblivious to the fact that keeping their premises clean and mosquito free is a responsibility,” District Malaria Officer K. Vimal Raj told The Hindu .
Dr. Vimal Raj said construction activities were another reason for the failed vector (mosquito that carries the dengue virus) control measures, as stagnant fresh water at these sites were easy breeding grounds for mosquitoes, especially with intermittent showers.
He also blamed the Kozhikode Corporation for its poor public health initiatives. Incidentally, more than 50 per cent of the dengue cases reported in the district were from the Corporation limits. “The Corporation does nothing. They have a separate Health wing, with a chairperson and enough staff. But the response has been minimal,” he said. The Corporation Health Standing Committee Chairperson could not be reached for her comment.
The Malaria Officer said source reduction was the only way to control the occurrence of dengue, and this was not possible without public cooperation. People should think of the heavy cost of dengue treatment and opt for prevention. It is easy to prevent the breeding of the Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits the dengue-causing virus. The mosquito does not fly beyond a 30-metre radius, and hence it is up to the community to deny breeding space for it.
