With the number of people infected with dengue crossing the 350-mark in Dakshina Kannada this month and with two suspected dengue deaths, the district administration has intensified vector control measures in the city and in parts of Kadaba, Bantwal and Sullia taluks.
Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil S. on Wednesday asked people to join hands in stopping breeding of dengue-causing Aedes aegpyti mosquito.
Talking to reporters after a meeting with superintendents of private and government hospitals and medical professionals, Mr. Senthil said that intermittent rain has led to a spurt in dengue cases since July 1.
While 75 positive cases of dengue were reported in June, there were 352 dengue cases in July, of which 173 were from the city.
“Every day, 10 patients with fever are getting admitted in private hospitals,” he said.
There were two suspected cases of deaths following dengue infection.
A 10-year-old boy died in a private hospital following suspected dengue shock syndrome on Tuesday night, said District Disease Surveilliance Officer Navinchandra Kulal.
Mr. Senthil said that 200 teams of health activists will be deployed from Thursday to destroy sources breeding Aedes aegpyti mosquito. “I urge people not to allow puddles of water accumulate in their houses. Take precaution to prevent mosquito bite during day time,” he said, while urging people to cooperate with Health Department staff for possible indoor fogging in their houses.
Asking people not to be worried of cases with viral fever, Mr. Senthil said that in 85 % of cases, this fever was a self-limiting one and complications arise only in a few cases concerning young children and the aged. “We need to be alert and collectively act against dengue. With vector control measures, we will definitely bring infection under control in a fortnight,” he said.
He said that a system has been put in place to collect information of suspected dengue infection from private hospitals and to take corrective measures. A meeting with representatives of schools about ways to prevent mosquito bite will be held on Thursday, he said.
