Karnataka Directorate of Health and Family Welfare has reported that the much-dreaded mosquito fever Dengue is under control in the State as there have been only 59 dengue cases reported in the last nine months. The state government granted Rs 10 crore and the directorate has used up the funds to bring in various preventive measures to control the disease.

"From November 2005, we had a aggressive preventive drive which will continue till this November 2006," stated Dr HC Ramesh, joint director department of malaria and filaria, directorate of health and family welfare, government of Karnataka.

Bangalore recorded 19 cases of dengue, which is the highest in the State so far, out of which 13 were registered in the three months starting from July this year and preventive measures taken in the city have been maximum. Out of the 800 fogging machines deployed in the state, the maximum have been used in Bangalore. Other preventive measures in the Sate include the distribution of pamphlets conducting street plays and educating the locals about ways to prevent the disease.

Samples tested positive of dengue three gene sequencing showed that the strains are not most deadly and is not known to cause dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). However health experts state that even though the strains may not be deadly as other dengue types, the disease needs attention and monitoring as if unattended it can lead to fatalities.

Since Dengue and Chikungunya are caused by the same mosquito ae-aegypti, the preventive measures were extensive by the state. The total number of suspected Chikungunya cases in the State were 3.31 lakh out of which only 200 were confirmed.