Bengaluru: The State health and family welfare department has deputed a team of health experts for surveillance and also to draw blood samples as a measure to control the steady rise of dengue and chikungunya cases in like Ballari, Raichur and Chitradurga and across the state. It has also intensified its surveillance programme.
Chemicals have been sprayed in affected areas to kill the Dengue and Chikungunya larvae. An awareness programme has also been planned in this regard by the department with the support of education department, said State Health Director Dr Moola Anuradha, to sources.

“A circular to all the districts to coordinate with this education programme to spread awareness will be sent to all schools”, said Education Department In-charge Commissioner Nanda Kumar adding that that pamphlets have also been distributed in this regard.

Sources have informed that the tashildar is being updated with reports on a daily basis and monthly meeting is also being conducted with deputy commissioners of the district. “In Ballari, 78 cases of dengue and 11 cases of chikungunya have been reported so far,” said Dr Ramesh Babu District Health Officer Ballari.

At Chitradurga district where a death and 30 cases were reported, special focus is being given to Hosadurga and Jalipura as these places are considered vulnerable.