Hubballi: Amid a surge in dengue cases in the state, the Dharwad district administration has ramped up efforts to contain the disease’s spread and ensure timely treatment. The administration has mobilized the health department and other stakeholders to tackle the outbreak. Task forces at district, taluk, and gram panchayat levels have been established to closely monitor the situation in each village.
The district-level task force includes the deputy commissioner (DC), zilla panchayat CEO, and district health officer (DHO). At the taluk and GP levels, tahsildars, taluk health officers (THO), and other officials are involved. Staff from health, revenue, rural development, panchayat raj, and local urban bodies are working collaboratively to curb dengue’s spread.
Nine hotspots, including areas in Dharwad rural and Hubballi urban, have been identified for intensified interventions. These hotspots will receive focused efforts such as daily awareness campaigns, extensive cleaning, door-to-door health worker visits, testing of suspected cases, and larvae surveys.
The education department is conducting cleaning drives in all primary and high schools every Saturday and educating students about dengue during daily prayers. DC Divya Prabhu announced plans to distribute repellents in hotspots and organize regular awareness rallies and events in all villages. The public is being educated on dengue prevention, the importance of timely testing, and immediate treatment upon diagnosis.
The administration has ensured adequate medicine supplies and testing kits, with arrangements for dengue tests at KIMS and Dharwad district hospital. Private hospitals have been instructed to display dengue test charges, with licenses at risk for overcharging.