Mangaluru: Amid the herculean fight against Covid-19, Dakshina Kannada district administration need to fight against another deadly disease Dengue as well this year. It is because the number of Dengue cases is steadily increasing in the DK district especially in rural areas.

It is evident that the district had to face a tough time in curtailing Dengue last year. The statistics show that over 1539 Dengue cases were reported in the district last year, of which 13 people have succumbed. Among the total cases, most of the people belong to the urban areas only.

But this time, Dengue cases have been reporting from the rural areas. A total of 92 Dengue cases have been reported in Dakshina Kannada district this year until June, of which over 90 percent of cases reported are from rural areas only.

As monsoon has already entered the district, the areas of Puttur, Sullia and Belthangady taluks have been receiving good rainfall. Hence, the cases of Dengue also are steadily increasing. At present, Bettampady village in Puttur taluk has been identified as the hotspot for Dengue disease as over 20 cases have been reported from this village alone, among the total cases of 92. It can be also noted that a woman from this Bettampady village succumbed to the disease on June 11.

As more Dengue cases have been reporting from rural villages, officials from the health department have already paid a visit to Bettampady in Puttur taluk and Neriya in Belthangady taluk. They have also indulged in creating awareness among the public on taking precautionary measures like destroying the mosquito breeding centres at their houses and surroundings among others.

The statistics show that the number of Dengue cases is steadily increasing year after year. While only 136 Dengue cases were reported in 2017, it took a big jump to 584 in 2018. The number of cases took its pace in the last year 2019, as the cases increased to 1539. Among them, 13 had died also. As district administration needs to fight against Dengue disease also, along with the existing COVID-19 situation, it is a very challenging task for them this year.

Dakshina Kannada District Health Officer Dr Ramachandra Bayari has informed that a lot of precautionary measures were already taken to clear the accumulation of water in public places and also at the surrounding of houses. “The department has been visiting places where more cases are found and creating awareness among the public. The other measures like fogging also are undertaken in some areas,” he informed.