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Dengue fever cases have risen sharply during the current year in the country so far, even when the Government claimed to have stepped up efforts including high-level reviews led by the Union minister for health, to contain the disease.
As on November 29, 2012, the number cases reported from different states stood at 35066 and 216 people died of the disease. However, it showed an increase from 2011 when 18,860 cases were reported and 169 people died. In 2010, the total number of cases reported were 28,292 and death toll was 110, according to the official figures with the Union ministry.
Among the States, Tamil Nadu reported highest number of deaths, followed by Maharashtra this year. A total of 9249 cases were reported and 60 people died in Tamil Nadu whereas 59 people died in Maharashtra due to dengue, out of the 1464 cases reported. The damage was specifically bad this time in Tamil Nadu as the State reported only nine deaths last year. Karnataka reported 3482 cases and 21 deaths so far this year.
Unprecedented population growth, unplanned and rapid urbanisation, inadequate waste management, gaps in public health infrastructure and poor infrastructure to monitor vector mosquito breeding were cited as the main reasons for the rise in the cases. Health ministry said it was working with a long-term and mid-term action plan to contain the disease.
For augmenting diagnostic facilities, the numbers of Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals (SSHs) with laboratory support has been increased to 347 across the country from 110 and linked with 14 Apex Referral laboratories with advanced diagnostic facilities for back up support for dengue across the country.
Committees of Secretaries (CoS) reviewed the situation through video conferencing in Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Pudducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in October while Union Minister reviewed the situation with State Ministers of Delhi and Haryana.
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