BBMP data, shared with South First, showed that Bengaluru reported 546 dengue cases in just 10 days — between 1 June and 11 June.
Representative image
In the past months, Bengaluru experienced a significant rise in dengue cases and acute febrile viral illness cases, prompting urgent action from health authorities.
This increase has raised public concern, especially with the onset of the monsoon season.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) data shared with South First showed that the city reported 546 dengue cases in just 10 days — between 1 June and 11 June.
Anecdotal evidence from private hospitals shows that at least 10-15 cases of dengue are being reported daily. Also, about 10-20 cases of viral infections are being reported per week.
Data shows that the highest number of cases is being reported from the Mahadevapura zone: 177 cases in 10 days.
That is followed by the East zone, with 99 cases, South zone with 79 cases, West with 61 cases, Bommanahalli with 54 cases, RR Nagar with 39, Yelahanka with 33 cases, and Dasarahalli with four cases in the same period.
Dr Thara Nair K, a general physician at the Apollo Clinic in the HSR Layout of Bengaluru, told South First: “Last few weeks have been an increase in acute febrile viral illness being reported by our patients.”
She added: “We have also seen a noticeable increase in dengue fevers as well as a 25 percent increase in viral infections.”
It is not just at the Apollo Clinic. Several private hospitals and even government hospitals are seeing an increase in cases of dengue and viral infections across Bengaluru.
Dr Aravinda GM, a consultant of Internal Medicine at Manipal Hospital in Jayanagar in the city told South First that the medical facility has been seeing a lot of dengue and viral-fever cases over the last 10 days.
People — including the elderly and children — are presenting with fever, body aches and rashes.
He said the recovery was taking about five to seven days in mild dengue cases.
Even Fortis Hospital on Cunningham Road in the city has been seeing an increase in not only dengue but also viral gastritis cases, which have been affecting people from all age groups.
Dr Nasiruddin G, a consultant for Internal Medicine at the hospital, said, “The surge is evident in both outpatient departments (OPDs) and admissions, with an average of 12-15 cases reported weekly. Common symptoms include high fever, headaches, muscle aches (myalgia), and lower back pain.”
Doctors at the state-run Victoria Hospital told The Hindu that they were seeing at least 10 dengue cases every day.
The doctors said that not many, however, needed admissions, and that the platelet count was picking up with proper monitoring.
There’s been a sharp rise in #dengue cases across a few southern states. #Bengaluru alone in the last ten days has seen more than 500 cases being reported. @dr_sivaranjani, renowned paediatrician from #Hyderabad talks about warning signs of dengue fever that one should not… pic.twitter.com/jotwYSiXRy
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) June 21, 2024
The BBMP and the Department of Health and Family Welfare officials attribute this increase in cases to recent rains, which have led to water stagnation, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes and the transmission season.
Department of Health and Family Welfare Commissioner D Randeep told South First, “Dengue fever, an arboviral mosquito-borne disease with perennial transmission pattern and sharp spikes, is observed during the transmission season (June to October).”
He said the absence of a vaccine and specific treatment makes dengue fever more fatal. Hence, symptomatic treatment and management of dengue cases play a key role.
Explaining the progression of the disease, he said classic dengue fever may progress to complicated stages like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome if not treated early.
The state government reportedly follows the directives of the National Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases under the Central government in this regard.
Randeep said that the implementation of vector control methods was being done by the state for the treatment and management of dengue cases.
Meanwhile, Tara explained that seasonal transition was a major contributing factor. Other factors — like population density, especially being in closed AC rooms, and human mobility — also contribute.
Water bodies, water storages, and collected water in plant pots help breed Aedes mosquitos that cause dengue fevers.
Not following hygienic food practices combined with temperature fluctuations, can cause an increased incidence of diarrhoea.
Explaining further, Randeep said there were 38 identified Sentinel Surveillance laboratories in the state at respective district headquarters and BBMP for diagnosis of dengue fever through ELISA-based NS1 antigen and IgM antibody tests.
The testing kits were being supplied by the Pune-based National Institute Of Virology (NIV) and state headquarters.
He added that dengue was a “notifiable disease” in Karnataka. Therefore, data was being captured from private healthcare facilities as well.
In addition to this, regular surveillance and reduction of Aedes breeding sites were crucial in disease prevention.
In response, the BBMP has intensified its efforts to control the spread by conducting fogging operations and spraying larvicide across all wards.
A recent report by the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Science (IISc) said the virus had evolved dramatically in the Indian sub-continent.
The doctors were seeing an increase in instances where the drop of platelet counts among dengue-positive cases had become more frequent in the past few days.
Doctors suggested precautions and a closer look at the symptoms of dengue to report to care immediately. They also advised not to wait for the platelets to fall.
In most cases, doctors suggested the patients would have a fever for one to five days, while some might not.
They said that if one were to notice symptoms like nausea, vomiting, red rash, severe body pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, and back pain, and blood tests showed a fall in the White Blood Cell count, then it could be dengue and needed to be tested.
Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, a paediatrician from Hyderabad who is continuously sharing video messages on her Instagram posts, said several warning signs “tell us that dengue is getting complicated”.
She said if anyone had severe stomach pain above the belly button and below the ribs, uncontrollable vomiting, bleeding from the nose, bleeding more during periods, feeling lethargic, platelet falling rapidly, blood getting thicker, fluid collection around the lungs and other organs in the body, and liver enlargement, they should not neglect them.
Doctors also suggested that there might be a fall in blood pressure in children — especially adolescents — in dengue cases, and that must not be ignored.
Aedes mosquitoes breed majorly in household water storage containers. Hence, the Health Department and the BBMP were said to be conducting regular inspections of Aedes breeding sites and sources — both indoor and outdoor.
The aim was to reduce the sources, either by larvicide or emptying the containers.
“This ‘Source Reduction’ activity is carried out regularly by health staff and ASHA in both urban and rural settings. It is being cross-checked by the district VBD control officers and medical officers at primary health centres (PHCs),” said Randeep.
“Further, to strengthen the surveillance, health staff (HIOs and PHCOs) are being deployed to urban centres on the first and third Friday of every month for source reduction activity & also to impart Information Education Communication and Behaviour Change Communication to the general public,” he added.
He said it was pertinent here to mention that citizens should cooperate with the health authorities in carrying out source reduction activities in their households by regular inspections of water storage containers, and ensuring that the solid waste materials were disposed of well to prevent Aedes breeding.
Experts suggest specific measures to prevent dengue in schools, public spaces and households.
Schools
Public spaces
Households
(Edited by Arkadev Ghoshal)
Jul 04, 2024
Jul 04, 2024
Jul 04, 2024
Jul 04, 2024
Jul 04, 2024
Jul 04, 2024
