Mangaluru
With the onset of the monsoon and a rise in suspected dengue cases in rural Dakshina Kannada, the health department has decided to intensify its surveillance efforts. District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. H.R. Thimmaiah said that while 43 confirmed dengue cases have been reported this year, more than 10 of these occurred in May alone.
Cases are emerging in Belthangady, Puttur, and Sullia taluks, prompting the department to survey areas reporting fever cases. “We will inspect 50 houses around each index case and undertake mosquito source reduction activities until August,” Dr. Thimmaiah stated. Special teams comprising staff from the health department, medical colleges, and hospitals will be formed for this purpose.
Dengue cases have steadily risen in the district, with 295 cases and one death in 2021. The numbers climbed to 388 in 2022, 566 in 2023, and 534 so far in 2024, with Mangaluru taluk reporting the highest numbers.
Dr. Thimmaiah urged arecanut and rubber cultivators to remain vigilant about water stagnation on their farms, which can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. “People should regularly empty and clean water containers like tanks and barrels weekly and support health workers during larval surveys,” he added.
The department will also launch awareness campaigns in both urban and rural areas to promote cleanliness and reduce mosquito breeding sites, aiming to contain further spread during the rainy season.
Though 90% of dengue patients recover without medication, maintaining platelet count through precautions is crucial, said DHO Dr. H.R. Thimmaiah. He warned against self-medication, which can cause complications by lowering platelet levels. Adequate rest and intake of liquid food are essential for effective recovery, he added.