Dengue spreads in city

The number of dengue cases registered at city hospitals including Bowring and KC General Hospital has doubled, thanks to the advent of the monsoon and people being forced to store more water to tide over the water crisis. The BBMP however claims that the number of such cases has come down this month. Bowring Hospital has seen a total of 304 Dengue cases so far. There were 144 Dengue cases in June and 111 cases till July 13 at Bowring. Doctors at the hospital say the number of Dengue cases has increased by 50 per cent this month. 

At Bowring, 49 Chickungunya cases have been recorded. In June there were 20 Chickungunya cases while seven people tested positive for the disease till July 13. KC General Hospital registered 15 cases of Dengue last month. There have been more than 20 cases this month so far. But, BBMP claims cases of Dengue and Chickungunya have dropped compared to last month. According to the civic body, there have been 67 Chickungunya cases so far— 23 cases in June and only 12 cases this month. 

“We have intensified fogging, source reduction activity and also awareness campaigns, wherever there have been Dengue and Chickungunya cases. We need public co-operation as mosquitoes like Aedes Egypti, which spreads Dengue, breed in fresh water. Public should prevent water from collecting in coconut shells or flower pots. They should also clean their water tanks once in four days,” said Dr Lokesh, project director, dengue and chickungunya control, BBMP.