Mysuru: Even as Health authorities are taking measures to prevent the outbreak of vector borne diseases, a total of 71 cases of dengue have been reported from across the district since January this year.

According to District Vector Borne Diseases Control Officer Dr. Chidambara, in all, 464 blood samples were tested for dengue, out of which 71 was confirmed positive since January this year when compared to 123 at this point last year.

Dengue scare is high in crowded localities such as Janata Nagar, Neelakantanagar Jayanagar, Udayagiri and K.G. Koppal. Hospitals, Diagnostic Centres and Private Pathology Labs are getting hundreds of blood samples every day to test samples for dengue and other vector-borne diseases.

With the number of dengue cases increasing, the blame is on lack of co-ordination between the Health and Family Welfare Department, local bodies, private hospitals and diagnostic centres, coupled with the negligence of citizens.

The Aedes Aegypti mosquito which carries dengue virus is normally active during the day. The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), which has launched a full scale ‘Swachh Bharath’ campaign in city, seems to have forgotten its role in containing the spread of this deadly disease. Garbage dumps along the roads and vacant spaces, overflowing drainages and uncovered drainages have become mosquito breeding centres, say officials.

Though the MCC has deployed autos, tippers and tractors for garbage clearance, most of the wards are dotted with overflowing garbage bins in the absence of daily clearance.

Dr. Chidambara says that unhygienic conditions are the main cause for dengue spread. He said that water tanks, drains, barrels and other water containers should be cleared once a fortnight. Also it is necessary to ensure that there is no water stored in tyres, coconut shells, flower pots, broken glass bottles, open plastic bottles and cups and the like, as these turn into mosquito breeding centres.

He said that blood samples for suspect dengue cases must be tested as per ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays) procedure. As this type test needs sophisticated equipment, it takes some time to issue blood test reports. Also, the ELISA testing method is not generally available in private hospitals or labs, other than at the district surveillance lab.

Usually, private labs resort to Rapid Card Test, which is not all that dependable, as nearly 60 percent of the reports have proved wrong. He said that the action can be taken against private hospitals for using unreliable means of blood testing and wrong reports.