The number of dengue cases in Karnataka has consistently been on the rise for the past three years. In fact, the State has seen the third highest number of cases in the country since the start of last year.
According to data from the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) under the Union Ministry’s Directorate General of Health Services, the number of dengue cases in the State has gone up from 3,358 in 2014 to 17,265 in 2017. In 2017 and 2018 (from January till April-end), Karnataka is only behind Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which reported 23,294 and 19,973 dengue cases, respectively.
Last year, the vector-borne disease spread at an alarming rate and there was a significant surge in cases in Karnataka. Concerned by the spread, a team of experts from the Union Health Ministry visited the State to assess the situation. Although the situation is not alarming so far, from January till date this year, 1,006 dengue cases have been reported across the State.
According to experts in vector-borne disease control programme, the transmission of dengue is governed by various ecological factors. This, coupled with unplanned developmental activities, improper water storage, and improper solid waste management, plays a crucial role in the surge in cases. Although dengue was earlier associated with monsoon, it has now become a self-limiting viral fever that is prevalent all through the year. The dengue-causing aedes aegypti mosquito breeds in freshwater and bites during the day.
Need for paradigm shift
Former Indian Medical Association president K.K. Aggarwal said there is a need for a paradigm shift in vector-borne disease control. “There is no point acting when the cases have started. Often, civic bodies start prevention activities during monsoon. They may be planning ahead but public awareness and public involvement must start much earlier,” he said.
Pointing out that the campaign that aedes egypti is a day-biter and only breeds in indoor freshwater would not work, Dr. Aggarwal said this variety of mosquito can breed and bite in the evening or night as well. “The whole campaign till now has been focussed on prevention of mosquito bites during the day. But precautions need to be taken round the clock as the mosquito only recognises light, not day or night,” he said.
This mosquito breeds in stagnant water anywhere inside or outside the house. Rainwater is the most important source and can collect in any plastic container inside or outside the house, he added.
Prevention incentivised
With the monsoon more or less here, the State Health and Family Welfare Department has incentivised dengue prevention measures by citizens. “We have launched a ‘Nagararikarige Savalu’ scheme under which Accredited Social Health Activists and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives will make door to door visits with questionnaires to assess the dengue awareness level among citizens and educate them on reduction of larvae breeding at source. Those who have kept their houses mosquito-free following all prevention measures will be awarded certificates by the jurisdictional zilla and gram panchayats,” said B.G. Prakash, State Deputy Director, NVBDCP.
The department will observe July and August as ‘dengue months’ when advocacy measures will be taken up on a war footing. Residents in all gram panchayats will be encouraged to observe a dry day every week when they have to empty all water containers and wash and dry them before refilling, he said.
High risk in BBMP areas
Of the 1,006 dengue cases reported in the State from January till date, 313 are from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) areas alone. The actual number could be much higher as several cases go unreported.
State health officials said tackling the vector-borne disease in BBMP limits has become a challenge because of rapid urbanisation and the resultant construction activities. This, coupled with improper solid waste management and implementation of civic bylaws, has made Bengaluru a high-risk zone for dengue.
B.G. Prakash, State Deputy Director, National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme, said the BBMP has been asked to step up prevention measures and enforce strict implementation of civic bylaws. This is to prevent water stagnation and mosquito breeding in construction sites, he said.
Siddapaji, health officer, BBMP East, said a team of employees of the civic body, along with ASHA workers, were making door-to-door visits in every zone and spreading awareness on mosquito breeding. “A lot of apartments have ornamental plants, which also act as a breeding site,” he said.
Furthermore, he added, every week they are spraying larvicide in identified places where there is stagnant water.
