Intermittent rain, favourable weather are reasons for rise in dengue cases: BBMP chief

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Citing a marginal increase of dengue cases from last year (732 in Jan-Jun 2023), Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike, has directed health officials to intensify testing of potential cases in the city.

This comes after his reported diagnosis of dengue earlier this week. Addressing media persons here on Wednesday, Girinath revealed that the case count has increased to 1,230 from January this year.

“Intermittent rains, added to favourable weather conditions of 26 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius help the ‘Aedes Aegypti’ mosquito, which is responsible for the spread of dengue, thrive. If the same continues, the case count may increase,” he said.

With regards to controlling the numbers, Girinath directed health officials from each block to survey 1,000 homes for larvae hot spots and awareness programmes.

“Those with symptoms will be sent to Public Health Centres and tested. Samples will be sent to a lab,” he said.

Around 38,000 NS1 testing kits will be acquired by the Palike from the Karnataka State Drugs Logistics and Warehousing Society (KSMSCL). “Each PHC will have around 3,000 such testing kits,” he further put forth.

In 28 lakh residences, around 14 lakh are identified to be occupied by the urban poor. “Since they live in overpopulated areas, there is the need for intensified identification. Students from nursing colleges, along with community health workers will be deployed,” he said.