Dengue spread: No medical emergency in state, says technical advisory committee

BENGALURU: With dengue cases rising across the state, the civic and health authorities are taking various steps to keep the spread of the virus under check. So far, 7,362 cases of infection have been reported across the state with seven deaths.

A technical advisory committee (TAC) constituted by the state government has, in its report, suggested various measures to control the spread of dengue. While the committee feels there is no reason to declare a medical emergency, it pointed out that the death rate is 0.08 per cent. A medical emergency arises if the death rate if 0.25 per cent, it noted.

The TAC has also recommended increase in testing to keep the death rate in check, destroying larva sites, including around hospitals, fogging, spraying at places where there are dengue-positive cases, having adequate stocks of medicines available and increasing public awareness.

Meanwhile, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has resorted to making public announcement to create awareness. Autorickshaws fitted with public address systems are going around Majestic area, making announcements. Since January, 2,083 cases of dengue have been recorded in Bengaluru.

However, residents expressed anger at the BBMP’s latest move and pointed out that fogging or spraying of insecticides had not been carried out. The BBMP has told the residents that its staff will carry out fogging and spraying activities.