Times of India
13 September 2010
By Jayashree Nandi & Senthalir S
Bangalore, India

Reasons: Rising Mosquito Menace, Poor Hygiene
Is dengue a bit pronounced in the state? Yes, as Karnataka has the second highest number of dengue cases this year up to August, higher than even Delhi, though lower than that of Kerala.

While other states have shown a slight improvement in controlling dengue cases, this year Karnataka has reached the second position. According to the statistics from Directorate of National Vector-borne Disease Control Programme, Karnataka has moved up a notch from third position last year.

Dr Naresh Shetty, medical director, professor of orthopaedics with MS Ramaiah Hospital, said the number of dengue cases are increasing in the state. While Karnataka reported 1,764 dengue cases with eight deaths in 2009, it recorded 1,338 with one death just from the period between January and August 2010.

However, Dr Sudarshan Ballal, medical director, Manipal Health Systems, said there definitely has been more than one dengue death in the state. The main reason for the rise in cases is increase in mosquito breeding. Even from the reports gathered by TOI, the number of deaths could be more than just one this year.

Stating that poor public hygiene has led to a spurt in dengue cases even this year, consulting physician and cardiologist B Ramana Rao said that the maintenance of public hygiene, including drainage and garbage, was low in the state. "It is due to poor public hygiene that the state is reporting so many dengue cases," he said.

This year, Kerala tops the list with 2,167 dengue cases and 13 deaths as compared to 1,425 cases and six deaths last year. Delhi is in the third spot with 937 dengue cases and three deaths this year as against 1,153 cases last year. In 2009, Gujarat, which had the highest number with 2,461 dengue cases and two deaths, has now reported only 840 cases. Maharashtra follows with 2,255 cases and 20 deaths last year, and only 633 cases this year.

But Andaman and Nicobar Islands has shown an increase in dengue cases. While no cases were reported last year, at least 25 dengue cases have been reported this year.

Steep Fall

• There are states that have shown drastic reduction in dengue cases
• Madhya Pradesh, which had 1,467 dengue cases last year with five deaths, reported only nine cases this time
• In Rajasthan, it was 1,389 cases last year and 18 deaths. This year, it is 104 cases and 1 death