Amid spike in dengue cases, Karnataka govt. launches awareness campaign
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Jul 5: Amid a spike in dengue cases in Karnataka, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday launched an awareness campaign in this district headquarters town of Dakshina Kannada to eliminate breeding sites of Aedes mosquito that causes the vector borne disease.
He conducted a house-to-house inspection in parts of the city along with health workers and checked breeding areas of Aedes mosquitoes.
Rao, who is also district in-charge Minister, inspected places where Aedes mosquito larvae were produced in water stagnated in coconut shells, tubs and tyres and observed the measures being taken by Health Department staff to destroy them.
He advised the local residents to be vigilant.
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Speaking to reporters later, the Minister said the Department has launched a campaign to destroy breeding sites of Aedes mosquitoes every Friday for dengue control and urged the public to extend their cooperation.
Health workers are engaged in creating awareness among people. People need to ensure that water does not stagnate in places around their houses. Aedes mosquito breeding sites are being identified and destroyed, he said.
"It has been suggested to identify hot spots where dengue fever is more common and open fever clinics. It is advised to conduct dengue testing on people with fever, who come from those regions where dengue is prevalent and provide treatment. This can prevent deaths," Rao said.
The Minister also said his Department along with the Rural Development Department, district administration, local Corporation officials and teachers have been engaged in efforts to control dengue.
According to the data shared by the Health Department, total positive dengue cases reported in the State since January till July 4 was 6,676 and out of these, total active cases were 695. Dengue has claimed six lives in the state in the current calendar year.
ಡೆಂಗಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿರುವ ಕಡೆ ಫೀವರ್ ಕ್ಲಿನಿಕ್ ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು. ಆ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಜ್ವರದ ಲಕ್ಷಣ ಕಂಡುಬರುವ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಡೆಂಗಿ ಪತ್ತೆ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ನಡೆಸಲಾಗುವುದು. ಡೆಂಗಿ ಕಂಡುಬಂದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ನೀಡಲಾಗುವುದು.#DefeatDengue #DengueAlert #Dengue pic.twitter.com/dCM7toBZtT
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) July 4, 2024
ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಡೆಂಗಿ ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣ ಕುರಿತಂತೆ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗಳ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು, ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಪಂಚಾಯತ್ ಸಿಇಒಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಆರೋಗ್ಯಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ವಿಡಿಯೋ ಕಾನ್ಫರೆನ್ಸ್ ಮೂಲಕ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಿದೆ.
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) July 4, 2024
ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳು, ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿ ಡೆಂಗಿ ಪ್ರಕರಣಗಳನ್ನು ನಿರ್ವಹಿಸಲು… pic.twitter.com/aIPEnSmdv7
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Present situation doesn't call for declaring dengue a medical emergency in K'taka: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Bengaluru, Jul 8: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday said the situation now doesn't call for declaring dengue as a "medical emergency" in the state, as he rejected the suggestion made by the opposition BJP.
He said, amid a spike in dengue cases, officials have been issued directions to take all preventive measures.
Leader of Opposition in Assembly R Ashoka, eminent cardiologist and Bangalore Rural BJP MP Dr C N Manjunath had urged that the Congress government declare dengue as a “medical emergency", and called for more efforts to control its spread.
"We have held separate meetings with CEOs of Zilla Panchayats from all districts and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Instructions have been given to spray medicines at places where mosquitoes germinate and spread more awareness among the public," Rao said.
ALSO READ: Amid spike in dengue cases, Karnataka govt. launches awareness campaign
Speaking to reporters here, he said as there are many active dengue cases in the state, the number of tests being conducted have been increased and arrangements have been made for treatment. Also, there are a couple of Zika virus positive cases.
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met on Sunday in the backdrop of advice from opposition leaders and others to declare dengue as a medical emergency, the Minister said.
"But the situation is not such, to declare it a medical emergency, because all the facilities are there, like beds, medicines. The TAC was of the opinion that the situation was not so grave," he said.
As per health department data, Karnataka has till last evening recorded 7,165 dengue positive cases since January this year, with areas coming under the city civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) accounting for the largest at 1,988.
On Sunday, the state reported 159 fresh dengue infection cases, including 80 in BBMP areas.
To a question about any discussion at the TAC meeting regarding reserving beds for dengue patients, Rao said dengue infection doesn't spread from person to person, unlike COVID, but still hospitals have been advised to keep beds.
"These cases can be handled at general wards, as there will be no need for any isolation......There is a need to spread awareness among people as to at which stage of fever they need to go to hospitals, and it will be done," he said, adding that there is need to be cautious for another two-three months as rains are likely to continue.
Asked about reports that some private hospitals were still charging more for dengue testing, despite the government capping the rates, he said: "If anyone complaints we will take action, I will also ask our officials to check. We can take action, no one should charge more."
Urging the opposition not to politicise over dengue and spread fear among people, the Minister said, they have to behave responsibly and join hands with the government.
"Instead, making vague statements is not right. I have spoken to BJP MP C N Manjunath, he spoke well and gave good advice, but Ashoka and other opposition leaders are saying vague things, they should think scientifically and advise in the interest of the people."
"More than mosquitos, BJP's lies are spreading faster. It needs to be curbed," the Minister commented.
ಸೊಳ್ಳೆ ಹರಡುವ ಖಾಯಿಲೆಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯ ಸುಳ್ಳುಗಳು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಅಪಾಯಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿ ವೇಗವಾಗಿ ಹರಡುತ್ತವೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯವರ ಸುಳ್ಳುಗಳನ್ನು ನಿಯಂತ್ರಿಸಬೇಕಿದೆ.#StopLyingBJP #BJPFails @RAshokaBJP @DrSudhakar_ @BJP4Karnataka pic.twitter.com/8cMQHL9WiC
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) July 8, 2024
