Data from the Health Department of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) presents a worrying picture with rising cases of dengue in the city over the present week. While the number was 4,443 till Sunday, it rose to 5,006 by Wednesday. In just four days, the number of cases shot up by 12% with 563 new cases from Sunday to Wednesday. 

Till August 15, the number of cases stands at 5,006, reported The Hindu.

But the presence of dengue incidents is largely varied in the city. The East Zone is the worst affected with a total of 1,937 cases. The second worst zone was the South Zone with 786 cases while the Mahadevapura Zone saw 760 incidents. Dasarahalli saw 116 cases.

Even ward-wise, out of the 5,000 odd cases, Hoysalanagar saw 213 incidents, emerging as the worst affected among the 198 wards in the city. New Tippasandra and Benniganahalli fared as the second and third worst-affected wards with 186 and 163 cases respectively.

The New Indian Express reported that the other major wards affected were Bellandur (159), Koramanagala (146), Jeevanbhima Nagar (141), CV Raman Nagar (129), and Madiwala (112).

Year-wise too, the number of dengue cases have varied considerably. While in 2017, the number was 7,285, the subsequent year saw 4,134 cases. 

To address the issue, the BBMP has started a door-to-door campaign to spread awareness.

“We have identified 50 high-risk wards. Each has reported more than 20 dengue cases. We have intensified preventive measures,” Dr. BK Vijendra, Chief Health Officer, told Hindu.

“In addition to the existing staff, 200 volunteers have been appointed on a contract basis for a month in the high-risk 50 wards. Each ward will be given four volunteers. They will be paid Rs. 15,000 per month and, if needed, the contract will be extended to two more months,” he added.