Dakshina Kannada reports 43 dengue cases in 2025. Health officials warn residents to avoid self-medication and adopt preventive measures as monsoon nears.
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BREAKING: Dengue Cases Climb in Dakshina Kannada — Health Officials Urge Vigilance, Warn Against Self-Medication
Mangaluru, Karnataka | June 4, 2025| Special Report
With 43 dengue cases already reported in Dakshina Kannada district since January, local health authorities are sounding the alarm — not just about the outbreak, but about a growing secondary threat: self-medication.
Dr. H.R. Thimmaiah, the District Health and Family Welfare Officer (DHO), addressed the media in Mangaluru on Tuesday, warning that unprescribed treatments and over-the-counter drugs are worsening outcomes for many patients and complicating timely medical intervention.
Dengue Cases Rise in Dakshina Kannada: Health Officials Warn Against Self-Medication
Rising Cases and Public Concern
Dengue fever, transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is once again casting its shadow over coastal Karnataka. The reported 43 cases may seem modest compared to peak outbreak years, but health officials fear underreporting and silent carriers could be masking a larger spread.
“This is not the time to rely on Google or the local chemist for answers,” Dr. Thimmaiah stated firmly. “Dengue presents in many forms — from mild fever to life-threatening complications like internal bleeding. Every delay in proper treatment reduces the chances of a full recovery.”
The health department is actively tracking case clusters and has launched a mobile awareness campaign to reach both urban and rural areas, emphasizing prevention and early diagnosis.
Self-Medication: A Silent Epidemic
Perhaps more alarming than the case numbers is the rise in patients who delay seeking professional care due to self-prescribed drugs.
Paracetamol, while often recommended for managing fever, is being misused alongside non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen — the latter of which can be dangerous in dengue cases due to increased bleeding risk.
Local physician Dr. Keerthi Rao notes, “We’ve seen several patients arrive at hospitals only after their platelet counts drop dangerously low — all because they assumed it was a ‘simple viral’ and took whatever they had at home. That gamble can cost lives.”
Ground Reality: Hospitals on Alert
Government and private hospitals in Mangaluru and Bantwal have already issued internal notices to ramp up testing and triage for patients showing fever symptoms.
Diagnostic labs report a 28% increase in dengue NS1 antigen and IgM test requests compared to the same period last year. Fever surveillance units are also being reactivated in primary health centers across the district.
Despite the uptick in cases, no dengue-related deaths have been confirmed as of this report. Authorities credit early intervention, but stress that complacency could reverse that progress.
The Vector Problem: Clean Water, Dirty Consequences
In tropical districts like Dakshina Kannada, dengue prevention begins at home — or rather, around it. Stagnant water in flower pots, open tanks, discarded tires, and construction debris has turned into prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
The district has initiated a “10-to-10 Clean-Up Drive” — a ten-minute daily sanitation effort promoted through schools, offices, and panchayats. Sanitation inspectors are also authorized to fine residential colonies that repeatedly violate vector-control norms.
Ramesh Shetty, a corporator from Surathkal, admitted, “Even middle-class homes, despite having access to awareness, often ignore these basic steps. It’s not just a slum issue. It’s everywhere.”
Schools, Monsoon, and What’s Next
With monsoon showers just days away, experts worry the worst may still be ahead. Pooled water and rising humidity are ideal conditions for mosquito breeding.
School managements have been directed to conduct weekly inspections of premises. Children are being taught to identify mosquito-prone areas and have been given leaflets to share with families.
The DHO also confirmed that a special helpline would be launched this week to guide residents on early symptoms, testing centers, and how to seek immediate help.
A Broader View: Karnataka’s Preparedness
While Dakshina Kannada is in focus, dengue is a statewide issue. According to Karnataka's Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), the state saw over 4,800 dengue cases in 2024. With changing climate patterns and increased urbanization, vector-borne diseases are on the rise.
Dr. Uma Shankar, a public health expert based in Bengaluru, noted: “We must treat dengue like a year-round concern now — not just a monsoon disease. Public policy must adapt, and so must citizen behavior.”
Conclusion: Prevention Over Panic
Dakshina Kannada's health administration is urging citizens to act — not out of fear, but out of responsibility. With proactive measures and timely healthcare access, dengue can be managed.
But as the DHO emphasized, the biggest threat may not be the virus itself, but the misinformation and self-treatment practices surrounding it.
As monsoon clouds gather, the district watches — with bated breath, cleaned water tanks, and, hopefully, no more ibuprofen.
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