Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 13: Dengue, which had spread its tentacles in the malnad areas of the district in the past, is showing sure signs of making a comeback. With the intermittent rains in the region providing an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, spread of dengue needs to be taken seriously in these regions.

It is learnt that five persons from Harihara Pallathadka in Balugodu, Sullia taluk have tested positive for dengue. Many people with symptoms of dengue have also got admitted into various hospitals in Beltangady taluk. 18 patients who were admitted into Benaka Hospital in Ujire are said to be exhibiting symptoms of dengue. Villagers from Mundaje, Kakkinje, Attaje in Ujire and Kayartody have been suffering from fever and other symptoms of dengue.

The presence of dengue is strongly suspected in Mundaje, with as many as 18 showing symptoms of this disease. Many villagers have criticized health department for not taking preemptive measures to tackle this disease and nip it in the bud.

Dakshina Kannada district health officer, Dr Ramakrishna, visited Mundaje, Ujire, and Beltangady, on Tuesday May 12. He was accompanied by a team of health officers. This team has collected blood samples for testing. It has also collected samples of mosquitoes and asked taluk health department to take effective measures to contain spread of dengue.

The health department is not agreeable to rely on dengue figures provided by private hospitals. Medical officer of Benaka Hopsital, Dr Gopalakrishna, says that private hospitals have been following the guidelines issued by the health department for detection of dengue through testing cards, and that information is passed on on the basis of the results.

The health department takes four days to conduct Elisa test and give results. By then, the condition of several patients worsen, the hospitals point out. District health officer, Dr Ramakrishna, said that spots from where dengue was reported, have been visited by his team, and while the Sullia case has been confirmed as dengue, test reports are awaited in other cases.