Bengaluru, the bustling tech hub of India, is facing a severe dengue outbreak with 1,036 cases reported within Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits in just the last three weeks. The situation has alarmed health authorities and residents. This rise marks a twofold increase compared to figures from last June.
In a concerning development, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath has also tested positive for dengue. Despite experiencing mild fever symptoms since Friday, Girinath continued his official duties, including overseeing the inauguration of a new multilevel car park at Freedom Park and participating in a review of the draft advertisement policy. Following medical advice, he underwent a dengue test on Saturday, which confirmed the infection. Currently, Girinath remains stable and is working from home, with plans to return to the office soon.
Symptoms And Causes of Dengue
Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti. Here are the symptoms and causes:
Symptoms:
High Fever: Sudden onset of high fever, often reaching up to 104°F (40°C).
Severe Headache: Intense pain, especially behind the eyes.
Pain Behind the Eyes: Pain worsens with eye movement.
Joint and Muscle Pain: Severe pain in muscles, bones, and joints.
Fatigue: Overwhelming tiredness and weakness.
Skin Rash: Rash that may appear a few days after the fever starts.
Mild Bleeding: Nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or easy bruising can occur.
Measures Taken By State Authorities
BBMP health officials are ramping up efforts to control the dengue outbreak. These efforts include extensive awareness campaigns, door-to-door surveys, and mosquito-control measures such as spraying and fogging to eliminate breeding grounds. The city has recorded a total of 2,447 dengue cases over the past six months, with the Mahadevapura and East zones being the hardest hit due to their large populations.
In response to the escalating cases, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed officials to prioritise the detection and treatment of dengue. It has been reported that during a meeting with Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and senior officers, the Chief Minister emphasised the importance of ensuring adequate availability of treatment, medications, and blood platelets.
As of yesterday, Karnataka has reported a total of 5,374 dengue cases and five related deaths. Siddaramaiah underscored the government's commitment to combating the disease, urging comprehensive measures including door-to-door surveys and public awareness campaigns. These campaigns will involve ASHA workers, nursing students, NSS volunteers, and other community members to help curb the spread of dengue.
The BBMP’s proactive approach and the state government's commitment to addressing this health crisis highlight the urgent need for community cooperation and vigilance to tackle the dengue outbreak in Bengaluru and beyond.
Also read: How Long After A Mosquito Bite Can You Develop Dengue?
How Can You Prevent Dengue?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the mosquitoes that spread dengue are active during the day. Here’s a list of measures shared by WHO to prevent mosquito bites and ultimate
- Clothes that cover as much of your body as possible
- Mosquito nets if sleeping during the day, ideally nets sprayed with insect repellent
- Window screens
- Mosquito repellents (containing DEET)
- Coils and vaporizers
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