Jaipur: Dengue cases in Rajasthan have more than doubled in the past 33 days, rising from 476 on Aug 18 to 1,027 on Sept 22, prompting the health department to step up surveillance and vector-control measures across affected districts.Hospitals are reporting a steady flow of patients with high fever, severe body ache, headache, vomiting and falling platelet counts, symptoms commonly associated with dengue infection.In Jaipur, dengue cases rose from 81 on Aug 18 to 151 on Sept 22. Alwar reported 93 cases during the same period.In Jaipur, dengue infections increased from 81 cases on Aug 18 to 151 by Sept 22, reflecting the wider statewide rise after weeks of intermittent rain and waterlogging. In Alwar, 93 persons tested positive for dengue in the same period.Health officials said teams have intensified fogging, source reduction and anti-larval drives in urban and rural areas where mosquito breeding has been detected. Civic bodies have been instructed to clear stagnant water from drains, vacant plots, construction sites, coolers and discarded containers. Field staff are also carrying out door-to-door checks and awareness campaigns.Residents have been advised to use mosquito repellents, wear full-sleeved clothing and seek medical care promptly if fever or related symptoms appear suddenly.Other mosquito-borne diseases have also increased during the same period. Malaria cases rose from 407 on Aug 18 to 747 on Sept 22, with Udaipur reporting 106 cases, the highest among districts. Chikungunya cases increased from 87 to 134 statewide.Although the monsoon has nearly withdrawn, officials said the threat of mosquito-borne diseases remains as breeding can continue in accumulated rainwater for several weeks.A senior health department official said preventive measures were being taken to contain transmission and stressed that the current situation was not alarming. The department is monitoring daily trends and hospital admissions closely statewide.
