29 dengue cases in 9 days in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: A 16-year-old boy is battling for life at a hospital, a few days after being diagnosed with dengue. He is among a growing number of patients with the disease in the city.
Twenty-nine dengue cases were reported within BBMP limits in the first nine days of May, according to figures recorded by the state health department. The high incidence of the disease is directly linked to increasing number of mosquitoes, which have found favourable breeding conditions in several neighbourhoods with sites of stagnant water.
Across the state, 796 dengue cases have been reported since January. At 311, Bengaluru accounts for the highest number, followed by Shivamogga (99). The mosquito problem has also lead to over 360 cases of chikungunya in Karnataka.
The teen suffering from dengue is being treated at Dr BR Ambedkar Medical College Hospital near Kadugondanahalli. He was admitted there with very high fever eight days ago. His platelet count was just 16,000 per microlitre against the normal range of 1,50,000 to 4,50,000. The count improved on May 11 after platelet transfusions.
“Details and medical reports about the boy’s condition have been submitted to the health department. This is first serious dengue case of the season at our hospital,” Dr SM Prasad, professor of paediatrics at the hospital, told TOI. An official with the health department said a state-wide effort was underway to identify mosquito breeding sites. “The public must also take precautions,” the official added.