Kochi: Dengue fever cases are steadily climbing in Ernakulam, underlining ongoing shortcomings in mosquito source reduction efforts. In just the first six days of June, 291 cases were reported — averaging nearly 49 cases per day.

Health officials admit that cases are emerging from multiple localities, stressing that the trend will only reverse if people regularly eliminate breeding sites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. “Severe complications among patients are rare. But we continue to alert local authorities in high-incidence zones and urge intensified source reduction,” said a health official.

The newly enacted Kerala Public Health Act 2023 gives the health department the authority to act against individuals or entities neglecting mosquito control responsibilities.

District panchayat president Manoj Moothedan announced plans to convene the district public health committee next week to review the growing health crisis and chart urgent measures.