Bengaluru, oftentimes acclaimed as the Silicon Valley of India, is now in the limelight for a rather distraught reason. The city has seen a startling upswing in the Dengue incidents as the state records 6187 positive dengue cases and six deaths since January with a death rate of 0.09 %. The digits of present a rapid increase in the cities like Bengaluru followed by Chikkamagaluru, Mysuru, Haveri, Shivamogga, Chitradurga and Dakshina Kannada districts have been contributing to the highest number of cases.
Amidst the advancing cases, Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao conducted a coordination meeting on Tuesday with Health and rural development, Panchayat Raj departments, and with officials from BBMP in order to formulate the measures for the control of the disease. The meeting has brought forward the following points:
- Once diagnosed, the treatment is free of cost in the government hospitals. It is obligatory for all the medical facilities to notify all the dengue cases in order to curb them in the early stages itself.
- The officials have been advised to conduct door to door surveys and create awareness regarding the prevention of mosquito breeding source and larvae destruction.
- BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath has been directed to oversee a meeting with the builders and members of CREDAI to make certain that there is no water stagnation on the construction sites.
Causes of the breakout
- Urbanisation and infrastructure- Recent development and framework of the city has lacked proper waste management and poor drainage systems, which results in unexpected water stagnation. Clogged drains, unattended rooftops, marshy swamps, any type of discarded containers become hotbeds for breeding grounds.
- Climate and environmental factors- The monsoon season in Bengaluru is accompanied by heavy rainfalls for an elongated period of time, which leads to waterlogging due to poor structure of the city. The motionless water collected in various spaces acts as a perfect breeding site for the Aedes mosquito. In addition to this, the humid climate of Bengaluru acts as a facilitator in a mosquito’s life cycle, resulting in its proliferation by manifolds, hence increasing the risk of Dengue transmission.
- Public awareness- Many residents are unconscious and ignorant of the essential precautions to prevent mosquito breeding. Simple implementations like using mosquito repellent, quit storing water in open containers etc can help curb the situation on a personal level.
Preventive measures
The government and the community must work parallelly with the same intent towards combating the dengue outbreak. Basic proactive measures can help curb the situation well before in time. Some important steps can be-
- Eliminate stagnant water- The water in the necessary items shall be switched regularly like flower pots, buckets, tires. Make sure the water is stored in clean and covered containers.
- Use mosquito repellent- Application of mosquito repellents on your exposed skin should be a routine. Other items like mosquito nets, patches and screens can be used for protection in order to keep mosquitoes at bay.
- Wear covered clothing- While going outdoors, wear full sleeves shirts and long pants in order to cover your exposed skin to reduce the risk of contact.
- Insist basic cleanliness- Make sure to dispose of your waste properly into the designated bins. Ensure that your surrounding areas like drains are clean, in case it requires attention, report it to the concerned authorities.
Conclusion
The escalation of the dengue cases in Bengaluru certainly requires proper government intervention along with constant public efforts to combat this situation. Bengaluru can surely diminish the impact of the disease and protect its residents from this life threatening disease. Through screening, widespread awareness and effective preventive strategies will be crucial to control the spread and ensure a healthier community.
