Health department scales down tests for dengue, chikungunya in Karnataka

Mysuru: The Health department has drastically reduced the number of tests conducted for dengue and chikungunya and the number of cases too have decreased this year, compared to last year.

“Due to intensified surveillance and vector control activities, as per the Standard Operating Procedure, the suspected cases are less, hence the testing is also less this year,” said Dr Mahamood Shariff, Deputy Director of the NVBDC (National Vector Borne Disease Control) Programme, Health department.

As on August 20, there have been 1,12,202 suspected cases of dengue (excluding BBMP area), including 1,150 in Mysuru; and 48,444 samples, including 927 in Mysuru were tested; and 1,866, including 45 in Mysuru, were positive for dengue in Karnataka. Last year by August 21, there were 2,48,496 suspected cases, including 15,120 in Mysuru; 1,11,991 samples, including 5,811 in Mysuru were tested; and 12,556 were positive, including 762 in Mysuru; and there were seven deaths, including one in Mysuru.

Similarly on August 20, across the state (excluding BBMP area) there were 53,776 suspected cases of chikungunya, including 4,893 in Mysuru; 21,973 samples, including 3,277 in Mysuru were tested; and 1,445 cases, including 134 in Mysuru, were positive for chikungunya.

Last year by August 21, there were 2,48,496 suspected cases, including 15,120 in Mysuru; 1,11,991 samples, including 5,811 were tested; and 12,556 cases, including 762 in Mysuru, were tested positive for chikungunya.

Dr Shariff explained, “The number of samples collected for testing for dengue as well as chikungunya, are directly proportional to number of suspected cases. If suspected cases are more, testing is also more. However, each positive case is identified a ‘focus’ for intensification of surveillance and vector control activities as per Standard Operating Procedure, to prevent further spread.”