Health department issues guidelines to combat dengue spread in Karnataka

BENGALURU: In view of the rising dengue cass in the state, the Health Department on Thursday issued guidelines of the control of the spread of the virus. Dengue war rooms will now be set up in all district centres on the lines of the Covid war rooms.

As per the guidelines, if there are two to three dengue cases in one place, it will be considered a hotspot. Occupants of houses will be advised to stay out for 30 minutes during which time measures will be taken to destroy mosquito larvae.

Fever clinics will be opened in places where there are dengue positive cases. Those with BPL cards living in hotspots will be given neem oil to be applied on the arms, legs and neck. In case neem oil is not available, citronella oil, lemon grass oil or mosquito repellant creams will be distributed.

Dengue-positive patients will be quarantined for 14 days from the day they develop fever. In all taluk and district hospitals, 10 beds will be reserved for dengue patients and treatment will be free for BPL and APL card holders, a notification said.