Mangaluru : There has been steady number of patients visiting government and private hospitals in the district over the last few days with fever and other problems. According to Health Department officials, of 127 suspected cases of dengue reported in Belthangady taluk alone in the past five months, 10 have been confirmed as dengue. In the same period 102 suspected cases were reported from Puttur taluk, 88 suspected cases in Sullia, 60 suspected cases in Mangaluru taluk and 58 suspected cases in Bantwal taluk.

“Dengue is quite widespread. People need not panic. Infected people need to take complete rest and follow the guidelines as prescribed by the Centre,” said physician Shrinivas Kakkilaya, who has been attending to a number of suspected cases.

Dr. Kakkilaya said it was important for people to take precautions against getting bitten by mosquitoes carrying the dengue parasite. “This mosquito is a dawn and dusk biter. It is better to use creams while sitting outside early in the morning and evening,” he said. Dengue virus was being transmitted from one infected person to the other by the bite of the female Aedes mosquito that breeds in fresh water deposits outside the house.

District Health Officer Ramakrishna Rao and District Disease Surveillance Office B.V. Rajesh said persons confirmed of dengue and those suspected of the viral infection were being given symptomatic treatment. Dengue virus will be confirmed if antibodies are found by the ELISA test done by the government laboratory and two laboratories of private hospitals. Antibodies are detected on examination of serum after five days of infection.

In a meeting held on Monday, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat P.I. Sreevidya directed the District Health Officer Ramakrishna Rao to arrange one mobile treatment unit at each of the five taluks such that the affected persons get treatment.