Southern states are worst hit by dengue: Union Health Ministry

New Delhi: While the dengue scare in the national capital continues to make headlines, government data suggests that say that the sting of deadly fever has become sharper for people living in the southern region this time. According to the data available with the Union health ministry, the problem seems to be acute in the south, with the maximum cases being reported from Karnataka, followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh.

The worst affected state is Karnataka with 2,160 cases till July, followed by Kerala which has registered (2,101) cases and maximum deaths, Tamil Nadu has reported (1,795) cases, Andhra Pradesh (673), Maharashtra (594), Gujarat (574), Puducherry (266). West Bengal has reported cases 266 cases. Officials in the health ministry revealed that a rise in the number of cases has been reported from Karnataka followed by Andhra Pradesh, Arunchal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Experts blame changes in climatic conditions as the reasons for the emerging problem in the south. Apart from the weather, the rubber plantations in the region and thick forests are also helping the strain breed faster. “We are in regular touch with the states and are lending our support. The southern region is reporting maximum cases this year,” said an official. Interestingly, the north-east region seems to have been away from the grip of the virus. So, far Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura have not reported a single case.

Contrary to this years’s pattern, Maharashtra reported 1,738 cases — maximum number of cases last year during the same time of the year, followed by Kerala (1,211), Karnataka (967) cases. “Kerala is for last few years bearing the brunt both in terms of number of cases and number of deaths,” added the official.