BENGALURU: Karnataka’s efforts to control the dengue outbreak using the Disease Surveillance Dashboard and PRISM-H App, launched in 2023, have been criticized following the epidemic declaration. The state has reported over 25,500 dengue cases.

Key Points:

  • Tool Utilization Issues: Despite the app’s ability to provide predictive risk maps and track case trends, it has been under-utilized. Experts suggest that it could have been used more effectively to implement early interventions and health campaigns in high-risk areas.
  • Delayed Actions: Although measures such as identifying mosquito breeding sites, distributing ovi-traps, and reserving hospital beds were taken, they were implemented too late. Experts argue that early intervention based on known dengue patterns could have mitigated the outbreak.
  • Suggestions for Improvement: Experts recommend analyzing past data to anticipate outbreaks and implementing preventative measures before the monsoon season. They also suggest using insect growth regulators (IGRs) and filling tree holes with sand to prevent mosquito breeding.

Health Department Response:

  • Current Measures: The health department has used the app to identify mosquito breeding spots and survey households, and has implemented some preventative measures. However, officials acknowledge that earlier action might have been more effective.

This situation underscores the need for timely and proactive disease management strategies, utilizing available tools to their full potential.

Read More: