JOIN USMosquito-borne diseases on the rise in city
With the onset of monsoon and dip in mercury levels, the number of mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue cases, has gone up in Bengaluru.
Residents of Defence Colony are living under constant fear and dread stepping out of their homes following a rise in dengue cases in the area in the last few weeks. K Janardhan (68), a former deputy director of prosecution and a resident of 1st Main, Defence Colony, died of dengue last week.
“The sewage drains here are clogged. Also, garbage remains uncleared mainly at Defence Colony Park. Several complaints to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have gone unheard and the civic agency has not taken up fogging. More than 20 dengue positive cases have been reported so far from our colony alone," said Vikram Mulki, president, DECORA (Defence Colony Owners Association.
Jude Rajesh Ferrao from HRBR Layout said the Palike has not taken up fogging even in his locality. One death and eight dengue positive cases were reported from the area in June last. “Coconut shells and garbage lie uncleared at vacant sites in our area . We hope that at least this monsoon, the civic agency wakes up and takes precautionary measures."
According to the state health department, the number of dengue and chikungunya cases in the state have increased the most in May and June. About 548 cases were reported in May and June (till date) alone, compared to 468 cases reported in the first four months this year. In May and June, the city reported 61 cases as against just 29 in the January-April period.
The civic agency, on its part, has maintained that it has taken up preventive measures like fumigation, spraying and fogging in the last few days.
BBMP Project Coordinator, Mosquito Control, Dr Naveen Kumar said: "We are slapping fines against construction site owners who allow water to stagnate. Our team of medical officers have already visited 60% of the slums in the Palike limits and sensitised residents about dengue. We are also holding awareness programmes in various wards.”