Government health wing downplays dengue cases

Dr Ayyadevara Rambabu, chief entomologist of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), stated, "We are focused more on the prevention of cases. According to our data, the reported cases are fewer this year in May and June compared to last year." He told Deccan Chronicle that within GHMC limits, encompassing Hyderabad, Medchal, Sangareddy, and Rangareddy, 42 dengue cases were recorded in May and 78 in June, totalling 120 cases for both months.

However, data from the ministry of health and family welfare indicates that the entire state reported 113 cases in May and 263 cases in June. The National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control's website shows that since 2019, Telangana has averaged more than 8,000 cases annually. From January to April 2024, the state reported only 678 cases. Adding the government-provided figures for May and June brings the total to 1,054 cases for the first half of the year. An infectious disease expert, speaking anonymously, commented, "In a state where the average annual cases are 8,000, and with WHO suggesting a rise this year, having only 1,500 cases halfway through the year seems unlikely."

The onset of the monsoon has led to a spike in related illnesses, with doctors noting an increase in cases of stomach ache, vomiting, and fever. Dengue cases, in particular, are rising sharply. The Fever Hospital recorded about 35-40 dengue cases out of approximately 700 outpatients on Monday. When this reporter met the Superintendent on Friday, July 5, he reported just four cases but anticipated an increase. In just three days, the number of cases saw a tenfold rise.

The demand for platelets, indicating more serious cases, is also increasing. Shravan Pintoo, who runs the Hyderabad Blood Donors Welfare Society, reported receiving around 12 requests for live blood donors from patients in various hospitals across the city. "The need for live donors for platelet transfusion is required in serious cases where the platelet count drops below 20,000. We received around 10 requests in two days between July 3 and 5," he said.

Dr Rambabu assured that GHMC is taking measures to prevent the rise in cases. "In over 4,000 colonies across GHMC, we are conducting anti-larval and fogging operations. We identify houses with dengue and malaria cases and visit them for inspection," he said.

When approached for data on dengue testing over the last two months, Public Health Director Ravindra Nayak did not respond.