BENGALURU: Even as Covid-19 numbers wane, dengue is looming large in the state, with as many as 596 cases being reported since September 1. All four variants, including the deadly D2, are in circulation in different parts of Karnataka but there have been no deaths so far.
In 2021, so far, 2,987 dengue cases have been reported in the state, of which 18% (540 cases) are from Bengaluru alone. Udupi follows Bengaluru, with 293 cases, trailed by Kalaburagi (280), Shivamogga (226) and Dakshina Kannada district (190).
Of the cases reported in September, 150 (over 25%) are from Bengaluru.
District-wise mapping of dengue strains shows that predominantly, three variants — D1, D2 and D3 — are prevalent. The D4 variant is being seen in Hassan and Bengaluru.
Doc: All 4 strains seen in Karnataka
The D2 variant, which has proven to be fatal in children in Uttar Pradesh, is prevalent here too, but no deaths have been reported, said Dr Ramesh Kavalgod, joint director of the national vector-borne control programme in Karnataka.
“The four strains of dengue are seen variedly in different districts of Karnataka. All four are seen in Bengaluru and Hassan. No deaths have been attributed to dengue so far. There is a rising trend, but it is not out of control,” said Kavalgod. However, he said, surveillance for dengue has come down, due to the focus shifting to Covid.
In 2020, the state reported 4,093 cases, of which 1,127 were from Bengaluru. Five deaths were also reported — 2 from Dakshina Kannada and one each from Bengaluru Urban (outside BBMP limits), Dharwad and Haveri.
This time round, the case count is expected to rise, said authorities. Doctors said mosquito control measures must be reinforced, by civic agencies and in homes, especially due to intermittent rains.
Dr Ramana Rao, a Bengaluru physician and cardiologist, said dengue usually rise this time of the year and subside in a couple of months. “Not only dengue, we are also seeing other viral infections. In dengue, the platelet count declines and that needs to be carefully watched and treated,” he said.
At the government-run Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH), a total of 40 children have been treated for dengue in the past two months. “Dengue cases are increasing, but there are no casualties and all are recovering,” said Dr KS Sanjay, director of IGICH.
Dengue data no longer in public domain
The state health and family welfare department’s daily data on dengue, which was earlier uploaded on its website, is no longer publicly available as the portal faced glitches in 2020. Health commissioner KV Trilok Chandra said the matter will be looked into.
