Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 10: People living in areas of Sullia, Puttur and Beltangady should be vigilant about Dengue fever as these parts are receiving untimely rains. Last year dengue had created havoc in these areas along with Covid.

Monsoon begins in Dakshina Kannada district in June. However, before the arrival of Monsoon rural areas of the district receive intermittent rains. During this period more cases of malaria and dengue are reported.

If it rains for some time and then stops, water gets accumulated in coconut, arecanut and rubber farms. This results in breeding of larvae growing into mosquitos increasing the risk of the endemic.

In 2019, more than 850 people were affected by dengue and 13 people had died. The district administration had faced a tough challenge to contain the disease.

In 2021, 64 cases were reported in Bantwal, while the figures in Puttur, Beltangady and Sullia were 32, 24 and 27 respectively. The total cases reported were 295.

District health education officer Jyoti says, “Awareness programmes have begun from the district health department on dengue, malaria and Chikungunya due to untimely rains in Sullia, Beltangady and Puttur. When health workers visit homes, the public should provide proper information. Complete cooperation is required for the awareness campaign.”