Nagesh Prabhu/The Hindu

Bangalore, Jun 3: Chikungunya, the viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, has spread to 72 taluks in the State causing concern among officials and doctors of the Health Department.

Over 4,190 suspected cases of chikungunya have been reported from 111 primary health centres of 72 taluks in 23 districts. Ninety-one cases of dengue have been reported from 18 districts of the State.

Suspected cases of chikungunya have been reported from all districts except Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi as on June 1.

The highest number of suspected cases of chikungunya is from Uttara Kananda district (969) followed by Haveri (710) and Bangalore city (308). The break-up for the other districts is: Bangalore Urban – eight, Bangalore Rural – 30, Ramanagaram — 35, Kolar – 129, Chickaballapur – 207, Tumkur – 135, Chitradurga – 103, Davangere – 15, Shimoga – 293, Belgaum – 265, Bijapur – 237, Bagalkot – two, Dharwad – 158, Gadag – 111, Gulbarga – 73, Bellary – 20, Mysore – 161, Chamarajanagar – 57, Mandya – 78, Chikmagalur – 62 and Kodagu – 27. No case of death due to the disease had been reported so far, sources in the Department of Health and Family Welfare told The Hindu on Tuesday.

Blood samples

Scientists from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Field Station, Bangalore, have visited some of the affected areas and tested the blood samples of the victims. They collected samples of 1,189 people. As many as 449 cases tested positive in the State and 129 of them are in Bangalore city alone, officials said.

The officials have appealed to the public to use clean containers and drums for storing water and thus prevent the breeding of mosquitoes in the stored water.

In all districts, the department claimed to have taken steps to control it. Both indoor and outdoor fogging had been undertaken in 202 affected villages as part of preventive measures. Sources said irregular supply of drinking water in slums of Bangalore city and storage of water by residents in drums for weeks are major reasons for breeding of mosquitoes and spread of the disease.

Dengue

Ten cases of dengue have been reported from Bangalore city and the disease had claimed one life. As many as 24 cases of dengue had been reported from Haveri, 14 from Shimoga and nine cases from Uttara Kannada.

Malaria

The Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services on Monday issued a circular to all District Malaria Officers in the State to conduct indoor residual sprays for interrupting transmission of malaria. The officers have been advised to prepare micro-level plan while prioritising the areas, sub-centres and villages at higher risk keeping in view the availability of insecticides and other resources needed for operational purposes.