Task force formed to curb dengue fever in Mysore district

Learning a lesson from last year’s dengue fever disaster in the district, which claimed 12 lives including 4 children in a village, the department of Health and Family Welfare had formed a task force to curb the outbreak of the disease in all taluks.

Dengue fever was first reported at D Salundi village, Mysore taluk, where four children aged below 10 years died in a span of two days. Later, it spread across the neighbouring village and claimed more lives, as those afflicted by the fever neglected it, unaware of its seriousness.

As a precautionary measure, this year, the department has already initiated an exercise to make sure that the fever is detected at the initial stage itself, said H T Puttaswamy, District Health Officer (DHO), while speaking to Deccan Herald. 

A circular, from the department has been circulated to all taluk Health Officers who have been directed to launch awareness programmes. 

Officials have been directed to sensitise people about mosquito breeding, mass cleaning programme, disposal of waste material in the vicinity and strict implementation of civic by-law. This apart, school children will be given education through presentations, where the highlight will be awareness on health. 

Dengue fever was first detected in the district near KRS backwater villages. Puttaswamy said that a couple of years ago, “tourists from Delhi and North India”, who visited Krishna Raja Sagar Dam, infested with dengue, “spread the communicable disease”. The fever had spread across the entire village in Belagola, and it continued to spread across the district.

Last year, the vector borne disease also claimed five lives in T Narsipur, two in H D Kote, and one life in Hunsur taluk. The highest number of dengue fever cases were reported between the months May to August, where 333 cases out of 1,334 samples collected in the district emerged positive. As many as 263 positive cases were reported in, while 74 positive cases were reported in Chamarajanagar district.

Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted by a mosquito bite (from an Aedes aegypti type mosquito). The mosquito breeds in stagnant water, so it is necessary to keep water bodies clean. 

Asian Tiger mosquitoes, which also spread dengue, normally bite people during daytime. Children are very vulnerable to the fever. 

The department is urging residents to clear unwanted things, including broken mud pots, used tyres, plastic wastes, coconut wastes and other materials that have a tendency to collect water. The mosquitoes breed in water stored in overhead tanks, drums, barrels, small cups and throw away bottles.

High temperature fever, retro orbital pain, headache, muscle pains, joint pains and rashes on skin and itching are the symptoms.

People who identify with such symptoms, could approach either the nearest primary health centres or the Government Hospital, he said.DH News Service