Dengue and Chikungunya Cases Surge in Karnataka; Bengaluru Worst Hit
Sudden weather changes are contributing to a rapid increase in mosquito-borne diseases across the state.
Bengaluru: Unpredictable weather patterns, swinging between rain, heat, and cold, have led to a significant public health challenge in Karnataka. According to the state’s health department, there has been a sharp rise in vector-borne diseases, particularly dengue and chikungunya.
Across the state, the number of dengue cases has now crossed 5,000, with chikungunya cases nearing 1,000. The capital city, Bengaluru, is the most affected area, accounting for 2,478 dengue cases and 120 chikungunya cases.
Medical experts attribute the spike in infections to the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in stagnant water, which has become more common due to the fluctuating weather.
Health officials are urging the public to seek immediate medical attention if they experience persistent fever, severe headache, body and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes, or swollen glands.
In addition to mosquito-borne illnesses, hospitals are also seeing a rise in patients with viral fever, cough, colds, diarrhea, and respiratory issues. Outpatient departments (OPD) in hospitals have reported an approximate 15% increase in fever-related cases.
Health experts have issued strong advisories for citizens to take preventive measures. These include maintaining cleanliness in and around homes, preventing water from collecting in open containers, drinking only boiled water, and consuming a nutritious diet to boost immunity.
