Monsoon rains dengue cases on hapless Bengaluru

Bengaluru: As the monsoon arrives, so has the dengue scare and there is an increase in the number of cases of life-threatening fever being reported in the city. The BBMP has taken up full-fledged fogging operations after identifying vacant spots that are filled with weeds and puddles, which are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun has directed BBMP health officials to identify the vulnerable spots, including drains, and take up fogging operations soon after the spots are identified.

A senior BBMP health officer said, "This year, we have seen a rise in dengue cases in the city. Over 2,489 cases have been reported and this spike was between end of June and beginning of July."

He said, "We have been asked to work along with zonal-level health officials and local corporators to identify the spots and inform the contractors, who will take up fogging operations. Identifying mosquito-breeding spots and fogging is happening simultaneously, while weeds and grass are being removed from empty spaces."

Owners have been told to take up deweeding operations at their vacant residential plots as there is a high chance of mosquitoes breeding there, another officer said. "The other main problem is clogged drains and spaces where water logging occurs. These should be cleared immediately and people should not let water stagnate on their terraces or inside their compounds. Tanks or drums storing water should be always covered," he said.

He said that the fogging operation should have been taken up two months ago, but it was not done. "Fogging taken up during the rainy season is not very effective as the chemical does not stay for long. This time, contractors who fail to take up fogging operations will have their contracts terminated," he said.