Dengue, Chikungunya cases drop in southern K'taka
Mysuru: As compared to previous years, dengue and Chikungunya cases came down drastically during the pre-monsoon season this year in the south Karnataka districts. This took the burden off the health department.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Generally, the Old Mysuru and other southern districts record a large number of dengue and Chikungunya cases after a few spells of rain in April and May.
According to the health and family welfare department data, between Jan 1 and May 21, 2025, Mysuru district recorded 15 cases. A total of 359 blood samples were collected for analysis during this period. So far, the district recorded no dengue-related deaths.
Chamarajanagar (4), Mandya (9), Shivamogga (53), Hassan (12), Chikkamagaluru (10), and Kodagu district recorded just two cases of dengue fever during the period.
Last year, these districts recorded a large number of dengue cases. Between Jan 1 and May 20, Mysuru district had recorded 252 dengue cases. Similarly, Chamarajanagar (43), Mandya (125), Shivamogga (118), Hassan (125), Chikkamagaluru (116), and Kodagu district recorded 58 cases.
Last year, during the period, Mysuru district recorded 69 Chikungunya cases. However, this year it has come down to 38. Mysuru DHO PC Kumaraswamy attributed the multi-pronged strategy adopted by the health department as the key reason for the drastic fall in dengue cases in the district. "We are observing Fridays as dry days across the district. It is an anti-larvae measure. We released Gambusia (Mosquitofish) and Poecilia reticulata (Guppy) fish species in 1,000 waterbodies across the district to contain the mosquito menace," he said.
"Even if a single dengue case is reported, we screen all people in the entire village and conduct an awareness drive. All our interventions yielded good results," he explained.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
DHO, others inspect COVID-19 testing facilities at K.R. hospital
Amidst a fresh COVID-19 scare, officials from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Mysuru, inspected the Molecular and NCS Laboratory located on the K.R. Hospital premises on Tuesday. The visit was aimed at reviewing the hospital's preparedness for testing and managing COVID-19 cases in line with the new directives issued by the State government. District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Kumaraswamy, accompanied by senior doctors from K.R. Hospital, examined the RT-PCR testing facilities and other preventive measures in place. Speaking to reporters, Dr. Kumaraswamy said, 'We are working on streamlining arrangements for testing, including reviewing technical specifications and sharing insights to ensure effective follow-up in response to the newly reported cases.' According to the DHO, the laboratory houses five testing units, each capable of processing up to 90 RT-PCR tests per day. 'It typically takes about 4 to 5 hours to generate each test report,' he added. Dr. Kumaraswamy noted that the new variant of COVID-19 appears to be causing only mild infections. 'There is no need to panic. The Health Department is taking all necessary precautions and adhering strictly to the guidelines issued by the government. The labs are fully equipped and can operate 24x7 if case numbers rise,' he stated. The department has also directed healthcare providers to conduct tests on patients presenting with severe respiratory tract infections, with specialist doctors required to prescribe such tests. In addition, people with co-morbidities have been advised to wear masks as a precautionary measure. Awareness and sensitisation campaigns are under way to keep the public informed and prepared, Dr. Kumaraswamy added.
First Post
6 days ago
- First Post
Why Dengue, Chikungunya May Soon Become Endemic in Europe Vantage with Palki Sharma
Why Dengue, Chikungunya May Soon Become Endemic in Europe | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G Why Dengue, Chikungunya May Soon Become Endemic in Europe | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G Dengue and chikungunya, once tropical diseases, may soon become endemic in Europe due to climate change. The invasive tiger mosquito, which transmits both viruses, is expanding northward and now inhabits over a dozen European countries. In 2024 alone, 304 dengue cases were reported in the EU—surpassing the total from the previous 15 years combined. See More
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- The Hindu
Three test positive for COVID-19 in Mysuru
Amid reports of a spike in COVID-19 cases in different parts of the country, three persons have tested positive for the coronavirus disease in Mysuru district. District Health Officer Kumaraswamy told The Hindu that a total of 78 persons were subjected to tests in the district over the last few days. Of them, three had tested positive for COVID-19, two persons on May 23 and one on Saturday. 'The two persons hailed from K.R. Nagar taluk, and one was from H.D. Kote taluk,' Dr. Kumaraswamy said, adding that all the three cases were 'mild' in nature, and the patients were 'very much recovering'. The field staff were visiting their houses and sensitising them while taluk health officers were checking on their condition and monitoring them for the severity of the cases. Though the COVID-19 affecting people now was a 'mild variant', Dr. Kumaraswamy said the Department of Health and Family Welfare in Mysuru had taken all necessary steps to tackle any eventuality. 'There is no need for alarm or panic,' he said. Presently, the department was conducting RTPCR tests on SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) cases reported in hospitals and other medical facilities. However, those who are above 60 years of age, people with co-morbidities, and pregnant women have been requested to take precautionary measures. The RTPCR tests were presently conducted at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute. The testing facility will be revamped to increase the capacity for round the clock testing if such a situation arises, he said. Minister for Health Dinesh Gundu Rao, who was in Mysuru recently, held a separate meeting with the officials issuing strict instructions on the measures to be taken. As per the micro-plan drawn up by the authorities, Asha workers and more than 1,000 members of the Village Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition Committees will be spreading awareness about the measures to be taken in rural areas, he added.
