As per the data from the health department, Karnataka has logged a total of 10,973 dengue cases until 17 July.
Published Jul 18, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 19, 2024 | 5:46 PM
Aedes aegypti mosquito. (Creative Commons)
With dengue cases in Karnataka breaching the 10,900 mark, the state health department has selected five hospitals to reserve beds for dengue patients.
In an official memorandum signed by the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, D Randeep said, “In view of the increased dengue cases in the state as well as in Bengaluru city, effective management of moderate and severe cases is crucial to prevent dengue deaths. Therefore, a specific number of beds shall be reserved for the management of dengue patients.”
#DengueAlert: In response to the alarming rise in #dengue cases in #Bengaluru, the #Karnataka Health Department has taken significant steps to manage the situation.
According to an official memorandum from the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services, four hospitals… pic.twitter.com/gUYp0IW6Xq
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) July 17, 2024
As per the data from the health department, the state has logged a total of 10,973 dengue cases until 17 July, while Bengalurui’s BBMP alone has reported 4,040 cases. The state has 3,133 active cases and 535 of the patients have been hospitalised. 521 of them are admitted in general wards and six are in ICU.
To ensure that there is effective management of such cases, the health department has chosen KC General Hospital (25 beds), CV Raman Hospital (25 beds), GH Jayanagara Hospital (25 beds), Taluka Hospital in Yelahanka (10 beds)and KR Puram (10 beds) to reserve beds for dengue patients.
The memorandum clarified that this reservation is over and above the directions issued earlier on the reservation of 10 beds each in family and welfare hospitals in district headquarters, five beds each in Taluka headquarters.
The surge in dengue cases is particularly concerning during the monsoon season, which provides ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vectors for dengue. The Karnataka government has been proactive in addressing the outbreak, with measures including rigorous elimination of mosquito breeding sites and increased public health awareness campaigns.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has been vocal about the efforts to manage the dengue outbreak. He has emphasised the importance of effective management of moderate and severe cases to prevent fatalities.
As public cooperation is crucial in this scenario, residents have been urged to take necessary precautions, such as using mosquito repellents, ensuring there is no stagnant water around their homes, and seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms arise. The public health advisory also includes guidance on recognising dengue symptoms and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
The dengue outbreak has also sparked political debates, with opposition parties criticising the government’s handling of the situation. The opposition has called for more robust epidemic management strategies and better public health infrastructure. However, the government has defended its actions, highlighting the proactive measures taken to contain the outbreak.
(Edited by Neena)
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