Belagavi health dept raises alarm over dengue spike

Belagavi: Dengue cases have surged in Belagavi city and district, according to the health department. Two people have died and 70 people have been diagnosed with dengue in the past month.
As rains begin across the district, the fear of dengue is increasing everywhere. On Saturday, a 28-year-old youth died of dengue fever in Belagavi. Due to the increase in dengue cases, the people of the district are worried.

According to information from the health department, till June 30, the blood samples of more than 1,500 people have been tested across Belagavi district, out of which 170 people have been diagnosed with symptoms of dengue and 250 people with Chikungunya symptoms.Among these, 70 were found to be dengue-positive. All the taluks of Belagavi district have reported dengue cases and Belagavi city, Khanapur, Ramdurg and Bailhongal taluk have the highest numbers.
Mosquitoes multiply
Prakash, a resident of Veerbhadranagar said that cleanliness is seen only in the old wards of Belagavi city. Sewers have not been constructed in the new wards. Sewage water flows on roads and garbage is not being disposed of on time. The filth has increased in vacant plots, which has led to an increase in the number of mosquitoes.
Mallu Desai, a resident of Sadashivnagar, said that the city corporation and the Cantonment Board are not implementing the advice given by the health department to control communicable diseases. Fogging has not been prioritized to control the breeding of mosquitoes.
Renuka from Kakati village said that even in rural areas, due to the negligence of village panchayats, mosquitoes are not being controlled. People are suffering from infectious symptoms like fever, headache, cold, sore throat, vomiting, stomach pain and so on.
The health department officials said that they should be careful not to accumulate water waste around the house and that children with low immunity, pregnant women and elderly patients should be careful.
District health officer Dr Mahesh Koni said that the number of dengue cases in the district has increased by 25% this time when compared to last year, which is alarming. “There is no specific treatment for dengue fever but depending on the symptoms, treatment is being given in hospitals in areas where cases are increasing. Precautionary measures are being taken and awareness is being created for disease control,” he said.
BCC commissioner Ashok Dudagunti said that areas with more mosquitoes have been identified and spraying of insecticides has been suggested. A team of corporation officials including health inspectors is taking care of cleanliness in the city.