Fever Cases Climb in Karkala as Rainfall Slows, Health Officials Step Up Vigil

Karkala, Aug 15: A slight dip in rainfall has brought an unexpected surge in fever cases across Karkala taluk, unsettling both residents and health workers. What seemed like a brief relief from heavy showers has instead given way to stagnant puddles, buzzing mosquitoes, and anxious families rushing to local clinics.

In both the town and the surrounding villages, residents are reporting the familiar symptoms of fever, chills, and body aches. On paper, the situation looks worrying: this year alone, 42 dengue cases and 17 leptospirosis infections have already been confirmed. Doctors warn the numbers could climb further if preventive measures slip.

What’s more, the atmosphere in waiting rooms has grown tense. Parents clutch children with mild fevers, unsure if it’s something seasonal or the start of something more serious. Some, fearing long queues at government hospitals, have turned to private clinics, even if it stretches their budgets.

“The danger isn’t just in the fever itself—it’s in the delay of treatment. People think a few tablets from the medical shop will do. But by the time they come to us, complications have already set in,” said Dr. Shashikanth, a physician at the taluk hospital.

The mosquito menace has become a talking point at tea shops and bus stops alike. While the health department, municipality, and gram panchayats have launched drives to clean drains and fog mosquito-prone areas, the problem persists in pockets—particularly in labour colonies, construction sites, and quarry settlements, where conditions for breeding are far from under control.

That said, not everything is bleak. Municipal president Yogeesh Devadiga insists sanitation workers are on the ground daily, clearing stagnant water and urging shopkeepers and residents to keep their surroundings tidy. “We’re warning traders too,” he emphasized, “because public spaces can’t become breeding hubs.”

Still, uncertainty hangs in the air. Some residents believe the measures will work, while others quietly admit they expect the fever season to drag on until rains stabilize.

Local Reactions

• “It feels like every year we go through the same story—mosquitoes, fever, then hospital runs. Why can’t this be solved once and for all?” – A frustrated shopkeeper in Karkala market.

• “Our colony was sprayed yesterday. At least that gives us some peace of mind. But the kids still fall sick so quickly.” – A mother of two in a rural ward.