Bengaluru, 30 May

The arrival of monsoon rains in Bengaluru has brought both relief from the heat and a surge in dengue fever cases.

According to the Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city is seeing 13 new dengue cases daily. From May 16th to May 28th alone, 184 cases were reported, a 39% increase from the same period last year. This trend is concerning, with 1,308 cases recorded so far in 2024 compared to 583 in 2023 for the same period.

Suralkar Vikas Kishore, Special Commissioner for Health at BBMP, assured residents that measures are being taken to control the spread. T             hese include routine checks by volunteers, identifying and eliminating mosquito breeding sites, and educating residents about proper water management.

Dengue is spreading rapidly due to stagnant water in flower pots, broken tyres, and water tanks, which are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

To combat this, BBMP has deployed teams in each ward to identify and destroy larvae breeding sites. In water-scarce areas, efforts are being made to educate residents on the importance of properly covering water collection containers.

Public awareness campaigns are a crucial part of the fight against dengue. The BBMP is conducting ward-level drives, using loudspeakers on garbage trucks, and distributing leaflets. The highest number of cases are concentrated in the East, South, and Mahadevapura zones, likely due to poor hygiene and waste disposal practices.

Medical professionals emphasise the importance of eliminating stagnant water to prevent mosquito breeding. Residents are advised to properly cover water containers, discard old tires, and empty flower pots.

"There is no need to worry if these things are taken care of," reassured a doctor from Mithra Hospital. Doctors also recommend rest, proper hydration, a healthy diet rich in fruits and protein, and avoiding oily, spicy foods and caffeine for those infected. Salar News