JOIN USDespite an astounding figure of 3,140 positive cases of dengue in the State, the Health officials are yet to declare dengue as a serious outbreak.
As per the Health Directorate, there have been 11,701 suspected cases, 8,700 samples tested and 3,140 cases testing positive for dengue.
As far as Bangalore City is concerned, of the 1,300 suspected cases, 1,262 samples were sent to National Institute of Virology, of which 840 cases were tested positive for dengue.
Dr Dhanyakumar, Director, Health and Family Welfare says that when compared to the dengue statistics in the last five years, this year has seen an increase in fever as well as positive cases.
“The season was peak in August and September months, which reported an increase in the number of cases. Now, the cases are on the decline,” he added.
Health department secretary M Madan Gopal says that it can be declared epidemic, if two per cent of the total population is confirmed positive.
As far as the awareness campaign for dengue is concerned, due to holidays, the door-to-door surveillance which began since October 20, has been suspended for the time being. A BBMP official confirmed that since most of the nursing students who have been roped in for the awareness programme have gone on leave, they will be resuming the campaign only from Monday.