The number of dengue fever cases in the district reported this year has seen a manifold increase since the last few years. While the number of confirmed cases of dengue was 139 from January to December last year, this year from January to July, the cases have gone up to 138.
Meanwhile, in the same period last year (that is from January to July), the number of confirmed cases of dengue was below 30. In 2010 too, the total number of cases reported during the period is less than this year’s.
Though the number of cases was trailing behind in the early months of 2012, it shot up in June with 78 cases. In January the number was five. One case was reported in February, two in March, three in April and eight in May. In July the numbers have seen a relative decline with a total of 41 cases.
Meanwhile, on the flip side the number of deaths due to dengue has been nil this time while last year there were four deaths. But it must be noted that last year these deaths had all occurred after July - in August, September and October.
One of the reasons cited by the Health Department is intermittent rainfall which can induce the growth of the mosquitoes that spread dengue.
The laxity of the locals after a low incidence year and the increasing number of cases on immigrants are other reasons.
“It is difficult to find out reasons for this year’s outbreak. In the last few years the number of cases has been low, that can be the reason for the laxity this time around leading to the high number of cases. We are developing programmes specifically targeting the migrant population and issues related to their health and hygiene. But more work needs to be done in this direction,” said District Medical Officer Dr Juneid Rehman.
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