Sporadic cases of dengue have been reported in Puttur, Belthangady and Bantwal taluks in the last two months. The number of cases is likely to increase with the onset of rain.
Dengue cases have been reported from Nooji Baltila, Ranjalady and Nedupally villages in Puttur taluk; Rayee, Kalladka Baltila in Bantwal taluk; and from Venoor, Dharmasthala and Kalmanja villages in Belthangady taluk.
“There is likely to be an increase in these cases in the wake of the recent rain. We are better prepared to tackle the spread of the disease this time,” said District Disease Surveillance Officer B.V. Rajesh.
As many 26 cases of dengue were reported in April as against four cases reported in the same month last year. In the last 13 days, there were nine cases of dengue, which is caused by the freshwater breeding Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
District Malaria Officer Arun Kumar S.B. said that these cases were largely noticed in houses near arecanut plantations. No cases were reported from residential localities.
A visit by the field staff of the Health Department showed that breeding of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes in arecanut plantations, particularly in water stagnant in fallen arecanut leaves and in arecanut soaked in plastic and other containers.
Field staff and officials made farm owners destroy mosquito breeding sources, he said.
Dr. Kumar said that they have undertaken fever survey and given treatment to those suspected of having viral infection.
The field staff teams have also undertaken awareness exercises in villages.
“The work done this time is really extensive. We are continuing it in these three months when the spread of vector-borne diseases will reach a peak,” Dr. Rajesh said.
