Dengue cases in Bangalore surge by 131 in one week

The number of confirmed cases of dengue in Bangalore has gone up by 131 in just one week. According to the National  Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, while the number of dengue positive cases since January, 2012 in the city stood at 830 last week, the number went up to 961 on Thursday.

Though Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike officials had been playing down the threat, Chief Health Officer BBMP T Devaki Umesh on Wednesday had admitted to a rise in the number of cases while she was on an inspection drive.

Dr Sanghamitra, Medical Health Officer, BBMP, said the recent rains may have resulted in the increase in the number of dengue cases. “A number of houses have  been breeding larva. Residents are not taking precautionary measures by clearing stagnant water,” she said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Health Department reports say that of the 9,417 cases in the state sent for investigation from January 1, 2012 to November 8,3,406 tested  positive.

The state has recorded 21 deaths due to dengue as on Thursday.

A BBMP officer on condition of anonymity told Express that the recent garbage mess in Bangalore and the recent rains were the main reasons for the increase in dengue cases. Unless garbage is cleared, it is not possible to check dengue, he said and added that its was  worrisome that cases are being reported from all over the city. Dengue cases have not come down despite house-to-house surveys in all eight zones of the city.