Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SS)

Mangaluru, Jul 29: Cases of dengue fever are on the rise in the district over the last one month with copious rainfall. Dakshina Kannada (DK) district recorded 24 cases of dengue during one month.

The district recorded 72 cases of dengue fever from January to July first week out of which 24 cases were reported from June to July first week. As many as 48 cases were reported till May.

Due to increase in rainfall, breeding of mosquitoes has risen leading to rise in the number of dengue cases.

"The situation over the last 15 days has changed. Health workers have observed that out of every house one of them has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. There is a need for people to become more cautious as rainfall has increased lest it could lead to a spike in dengue fever cases," Dr Naveenchandra Kulal, district epidemic disease controller.

"In Mangaluru alone, 51 cases of dengue fever have been reported in total. In rural areas, dengue is under control. However, the mosquito population is on the rise in all the city wards. In our office all 170 who are working visit 5,000 houses to create awareness about dengue, including 30 personnel, 80 Asha workers and 60 MPWs. Rainwater gets accumulated in flower vases, tyres, tiles and old articles which should be avoided. We are creating awareness regarding this. In rural areas, about 1,300 Asha workers are engaged in similar activity," he said.

Dr Kulal said surveys are being conducted in the city to check the spread of dengue cases. Due to change in weather conditions, the number of viral cases have also risen. The district has recorded 48 cases of Malaria out of which 21 of them have come from other districts and other states, he said.