NEWS

The number of dengue cases are increasing since January in Karnataka

DETAILS

• 939 cases were reported from January till March 31 ( 510 cases had been reported previous year)
• However, there have been no deaths so far
• Rise in cases is seen mainly in urban areas, where construction work has begun after the decline in COVID-19 cases
• There is an increase in the number of dengue cases mainly in BBMP, Udupi, Mysuru, Chitradurga, Ballari and Koppal districts
• With nearly 22% (205) of the State’s total cases in 2022 (January to March) being reported in BBMP areas, Bengaluru city continued to record the highest number of positive cases
• Mysuru has recorded the highest number (83) – from January to March – among districts other than Bengaluru

DENGUE

• Most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world
• Inflicts significant health, economic and social burden on the populations of endemic areas
• Afflicts all levels of society, but the burden may be higher among the poorest who grow up in communities with an inadequate water supply and solid waste infrastructure, and where conditions are most favourable for multiplication of the main vector, Aedes aegypti

WHAT CAUSES DENGUE FEVER?

• Spread by several species of female mosquitoes of the Aedes variety, specifically of the Aedes aegypti.
• The ideal conditions for this species of mosquitos are usually between the latitudes of 35° North and 35° South with an elevation of 1000 meters (3300 ft)
• They usually bite during the early morning and in the evening, though it does not mean that they will specifically bite at these hours.
• Even though humans are the primary host of the virus, non-human primates are also carriers.
• A single bite is more than enough to be a cause for infection.
• A female mosquito that bites a person infected person with dengue becomes infected during the initial 2-10 day febrile period.
• After 8 – 10 days, the virus spreads to other tissues including the mosquitoes salivary glands, and is subsequently released into its saliva. As per the research conducted on this species, the mosquito remains infected.

SYMPTOMS

• High fever
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Muscle and joint pains
• Skin Rash