mangalore today

Dengue death in DK, 10 positive cases too


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 15, 2015  As per reports, the monsoon has caused  dengue to resurface in Dakshina Kannada district with one suspected death being reported and at least ten testing positive for dengue .  Of the 29 samples collected from Sullia taluk by the district surveillance unit it is reported that 10 were positive.


Dengue death in DK, 10 positive cases tooDistrict surveillance officer Dr Rajesh BV told media that a 48-year-old woman from Kasaragod-Puttur border area, who was admitted to a hospital here, died June 13. The serum sample is yet to arrive and tested for dengue antibodies. It will be known within a couple of days after testing.  

The district recorded two deaths and 85 cases between January and July last year. In 2013, during the same period, the number of cases had reached the 150 mark.

In 2014, the district recorded the highest number of dengue cases in April (27), followed by 18 in May. This is the period when the two deaths occurred. Health department officials say domestic and peri-domestic breeding is rampant, especially in rural areas and unless individuals take responsibility for source reduction, the control of this mosquito borne disease is difficult.

A decade ago, awareness programmes after two deaths and 100 dengue positive cases saw a drastic reduction of cases: 11 cases and one death between 2004 and 2006. The number rose to 422 cases and two deaths in 2009, after which dengue positive cases have always been above the 100 level mark every year.