Dengue spreading in DK, fear mounts

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, May 4, 2016: The spread of dengue in rural areas of Puttur and Sullia taluks in Dakshina Kannada is keeping  health department on it’s toes and people in fear. 

Most of the dengue cases were reported in interior places of Kadaba, Noojibalthila, Kodmbala, Koila, Kaniyur, Bilinele in Puttur, Thodikana, Bellare, Amaramudnoor, Madappady, Ajjavara, Ivarnadu, Nalkoor, Guthigar in Sullia and few places in Belthangady taluks.

While the district has recorded 65 cases of dengue from January this year, nearly 30 cases were reported from these regions of Puttur and Sullia taluks.

According to health department sources, at present about 35 people in Kadaba, Noojibalthila, Kodimbala and other nearby areas are suffering from dengue symptoms and most of them are suspected to be dengue patients. Health department has deputed doctors and health workers to monitor the situation

District vector borne diseases control officer Arun Kumar stated that the health department team has visited places where dengue cases were prevalent.

"The villages, with suspected cases were checked and tests were conducted. Measures were also taken to reduce mosquitoes. The spread of vector-borne diseases is lower in summer. Stagnation of water in areca nut and other farms in interior places of Sullia and Puttur taluks increases in mosquitoes," Dr Arun Kumar said.

Symptomatic treatment is being given to all suspect cases.  Blood samples are collected for NS1 Elisha test to confirm dengue and malaria.