Mysuru sees a drop in dengue cases this year

Mysuru: In comparison with the last three, dengue cases are under control in Mysuru district this year.

Since January, Out of the 392 suspected cases, 340 samples have been tested and 15 have returned positive including eight from rural and seven from city.

However, the number of tests have reduced this year in Mysuru. In 2024, out of 1587 samples, 252 came out to be positive. In 2023 out of1678 samples tested, 137 were positive. In 2022 out of291 samples, 126 were positive for dengue.

On the contrary, the number of tests in Karnataka has remained the same as last year but cases have remained lower this year.

On April 29, last year they tested 20463 samples and 2034 were positive. This year as of April 29, as many as 20876 samples were tested and just 702 came out to be positive.

Tumakuru, at 77, has the highest of cases followed by 61 in Uttara Kannada district, 49 in Shivamogga. Mysuru is placed 16th.

Mysuru DHO Dr P C Kumarswamy said that, the number of people with symptoms of dengue is lesser this year, mainly because of good anti-larval measures ensured for the last 18 months in Mysuru district.

Hence the number of tests have reduced this year, he said.

Mysuru district Vector Borne Diseases Control officer Dr C Suvarna, said that they have intensified larval survey and fever survey in the field. They have involved volunteers for source reduction (larva control) activities in high risk areas along with health care and Asha workers. Hence the symptomatic cases and tests have reduced this year, she said.

In Mysuru district, as of April 27, out of 192 suspected cases in rural areas, 165 samples were tested and eight came back positive; and among 200 suspected cases in Mysuru city, 175 samples were tested and seven came back positive for Dengue.

In Mysuru taluk, 51 were tested and one was positive; in T Narsipura, seven were tested and none were positive; in Nanjangud 12 were tested and one was positive; in H D Kote 12 were tested and two were positive; in Hunsur 50 were tested and two were positive; in Periyapatna 18 were tested and one was positive; in K R Nagar 15 were tested and one was positive; in Mysuru city 175 were tested and seven were positive for Dengue.

In January, 104 samples were tested and two were positive; in February 119 were tested and six were positive; in March, 84 were tested and five were positive; in April, 33 were tested and two were positive.

Health officials said, Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease and transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes and they are predominantly day biters.

It breeds in clear water, collected in any containers, like broken pots, tender coconut shells. People should avoid stagnant water around the house.

They should keep the environment clean and not dispose of the solid waste material including shoes, where water can collect. People should clean and refill the water storage containers, once a week, and cover them. Morbidity and Mortality can be reduced, if treated in the initial stage. So people should consult a doctor if they experience sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, extreme pain in muscles and joints, nausea, or vomiting, they said.