2 dengue deaths in Karnataka in 3 days, 400 cases since January

BENGALURU: Karnataka on Thursday reported the death of a 34-year-old health worker by dengue - second in three days - and nearly 400 suspected cases cumulatively since January, prompting the state govt to ramp up dengue surveillance in the affected districts of Dharwad, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru by setting up fever clinics for primary care and treatment.

On Tuesday, a four-year-old from Mummigatti village in Dharwad district succumbed to the virus.
The victim who died on Thursday has been identified as Nagaraj, a lab technician at a dialysis center in Talaguppa of Shivamogga district's Sagar taluk. According to taluk health officer Dr Parappa, Nagaraj had been working at the hospital for 14 years as a contracted resource.
On June 7, he felt unwell at work and sought treatment at a local clinic. After two days, he underwent tests at the taluk hospital, which showed no signs of dengue.
4 out of 46 fever cases in Dharwad district confirmed as dengue: Govt
However, a second blood sample confirmed he was suffering from dengue. "He was admitted to McGann Hospital in Shivamogga on Tuesday, but didn't respond to treatment," the officer said.
District health officer Dr Nataraj KS told TOI Nagaraj had comorbidity -- diabetes. "We've a few dengue cases in the district and all of them are recovering," he stated. The health department has reported a total of 46 fever cases in Dharwad district, with four confirmed as dengue. The child which died had been admitted to SDM Hospital on Monday, but did not respond to treatment.
The NS1 test conducted at the hospital confirmed dengue. District malaria officers and other staff visited Mummigatti on Wednesday to alert residents about the causes and preventive measures for dengue. A fever clinic has been set up in the village to treat people suffering from fever, and health officials have visited every household to arrange for the removal of accumulated solid waste.