Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Nov 18: After weeks of rising dengue infections across Jammu and Kashmir, health authorities have reported the first signs of decline. However, with 3,248 confirmed cases recorded so far, officials have cautioned that the situation still demands strict preventive efforts from the public.
According to official data, the Jammu division remains at the forefront of the outbreak, reporting 1,384 cases, followed by Kathua with 862, Samba with 459, and Udhampur with 172. Smaller but notable numbers have emerged from Reasi (70), Rajouri (69), Poonch (28), Doda (74), Ramban (43) and Kishtwar (15).
In Kashmir, 31 cases have been confirmed, while 41 infections were detected in individuals from outside the UT.
Health officials said that 26,980 dengue tests have been conducted across Jammu and Kashmir to date. “Only 49 patients required hospital admission, and 46 have been discharged, which is a positive sign,” an official said, adding that one J&K resident died at DMC Ludhiana due to complications linked to the infection.
Experts reiterated that dengue remains a preventable but potentially serious disease, stressing that no specialised vaccine or antiviral medication is currently available in India.
“The only effective way to break the transmission chain is to ensure mosquitoes do not breed. Stagnant water anywhere, even in small amounts, becomes a breeding ground,” an official said.
Medical professionals explained that the Aedes aegypti mosquito thrives in everyday household objects. “Even a little clean water collected in pots, tyres, buckets, lids, bottles or tubs is enough for mosquitoes to multiply,” they said.
They advised people to use mosquito repellents regularly, wear long-sleeved clothing, keep water tanks and containers tightly sealed, and install window screens or mosquito nets even during daytime hours when dengue mosquitoes are most active.
“These mosquitoes bite mostly early in the morning and late in the afternoon, so precautions during these hours are particularly important,” they said.
Doctors said people should seek immediate medical attention if they notice danger signs, such as persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stools, extreme fatigue, or unexplained restlessness, all of which may indicate severe dengue.
Notably, dengue was almost unheard of in the region a decade ago, with just two infections reported in 2009 and zero cases in 2010.
With the disease still circulating, officials have once again urged the public to maintain strict preventive measures. “People should regularly inspect their homes, shops, and surroundings. Eliminating stagnant water is the most powerful tool we have against dengue,” they said.
The authorities said that collective efforts from neighbourhoods, community groups, institutions, and local bodies will be crucial in bringing down the case numbers further.
