Health Minister Urges Accurate Dengue Death Reporting and Audits

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has instructed district officials to ensure accuracy of reporting and auditing of dengueDuring a video conference with Zilla Panchayat CEOs and district health officials at Vikasa Soudha in Bengaluru, he stressed the importance of maintaining a strong focus on dengue cases across the state (1^✔ ✔Reliable source
Dengue Situation in India

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). He noted that while districts like Chikkamagaluru, Mysuru and Mandya are seeing a decline in cases, areas like Hassan, Bengaluru, Dharwad, Tumakuru and Davanagere are seeing an increase, raising concerns. “Patients need to be monitored for 14 days till recovery, and we need to ensure treatment for severely affected people. Our primary focus is to prevent deaths due to dengue,” Rao said.

‘Dengue cases in India are on the rise. Health authorities urge accurate reporting and auditing. Stay alert, follow safety measures and report symptoms immediately. #mosquitodisease’

Dengue: facts and figures

Dengue Dengue is a major public health problem, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. In 2023, more than 289,000 cases of dengue were reported in India, illustrating the scale of the epidemic. The disease, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has seen a worrying increase: nearly 300,000 cases have occurred per year in recent years.

Data from the National Centre for Vector-Borne Disease Control indicate that as of April 2024, 19,447 cases have been reported, resulting in 19 deaths. The high incidence of dengue places a considerable burden on healthcare systems, requiring careful surveillance and rapid response to effectively manage outbreaks.

Along with deputy directors of the health department, Health Commissioner D. Randeep and Director General of the National Health Mission Dr. Naveen Bhat, Rao will visit 10-15 districts with a high number of cases.

He also highlighted the role of IISc’s ARTPARK and its PRISM-H application in mapping dengue hotspots and helping in efforts to reduce larvae in Udupi and Bagalkote, with plans to expand this approach to other districts.

District officials are urged to intensify door-to-door activities and implement successful strategies from the best-performing districts rather than relying solely on written plans. Rao noted that while efforts have been made, the intensity should not be reduced, particularly as the ongoing floods may have temporarily diverted attention from dengue control measures.

In Bengaluru, where 37 dengue hotspots have been identified and 50% of the active cases have been reported, Rao has directed the BBMP’s chief secretary, health commissioner and special health commissioner to convene another meeting.

He also called for the use of paid volunteers, nursing students, NCC cadets and NGOs to support the efforts, saying that constant rains and consistent spraying could help reduce dengue. malariaand Chikungunya cases in the city.

Reference:

1. Dengue Situation in India (https://ncvbdc.mohfw.gov.in/index4.php?lang=1&level=0&linkid=431&lid=3715)

Source-Medindia