341 cases from Jan-May 2024, only 18 cases this year

Mysuru: Mysuru district has recorded a sharp decline in dengue cases this year, thanks to intensified precautionary measures and awareness drives by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

As of May 2025, only 18 positive cases have been reported, a dramatic drop from 341 cases recorded between January and May last year.

From January to May 2024, the department tested 2,227 blood samples, detecting 341 dengue cases. In contrast, during the same period this year, only 18 cases were found among 406 samples tested, highlighting the effectiveness of proactive surveillance and public cooperation.

Last year, a total of 7,782 blood samples were tested, out of which 946 were tested positive for dengue, which included 542 cases within Mysuru city limits and 404 cases in rural areas.

This year, out of the 18 cases that tested positive till May, nine cases were reported in city limits and the other nine in rural limits. However, no casualties have been reported.

Out of the nine positive cases reported in rural areas, one case each has been reported in Mysuru rural, K.R. Nagar and Nanjangud, while two cases each have been reported in H.D. Kote, Hunsur and Periyapatna taluks.

Decrease in Chikungunya cases

The district has not only witnessed a significant decrease in Dengue cases, but has also recorded a decrease in Chikungunya cases as well.

Last year, till May, 82 positive cases were recorded out of the total 2,024 blood samples tested, while this year, a total of 46 positive cases have been recorded from a total of 406 blood samples tested till the end of May.

Symptoms and treatment

Both Dengue and Chikungunya have similar initial symptoms like fever, headache and joint pain, but those with chikungunya will have severe joint pain, often lasting longer than dengue.

Dengue may also include rashes and pain behind the eyes. In case of Chikungunya fever typically lasts 3-4 days, while dengue fever lasts longer. While there are no specific medicines or vaccines for Dengue and Chikungunya, they are treated according to symptoms.

The only way to prevent both diseases is through controlling the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread dengue,  malaria and chikungunya.

Effective strategies helped

The decrease in both Dengue and Chikungunya cases is a result of the precautionary measures taken by the Department of Health and Family Welfare. We had identified certain high-risk areas where more cases were being recorded. Following this, measures were initiated to prevent the multiplication of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Also, Gambusia affinis fish were released into ponds and fountains in public parks to destroy the mosquito larvae. Blood samples from people with fever for three to four days were also tested for the diseases as part of the prevention programme. People should also take measures to prevent the multiplication of mosquitoes in their surroundings to keep themselves and others safe from dengue and chikungunya diseases. – Dr. C. Suvarna, District Vector-Borne Diseases Control Officer

Regular follow-up action taken

Dengue cases have reduced drastically compared to the previous year. We have been taking measures to clean up the water sources by conducting the Dry Day programme every Friday, apart from conducting up survey for mosquito larvae. On finding dengue positive cases, our medical officers have been following up regularly apart from conducting a survey in the surrounding 40-50 houses to find other positive cases to provide necessary treatment and also to stop the spread of the disease further.” – Dr. P.C. Kumaraswamy, District Health and Family Welfare Officer