Over 2000 suspected cases of monsoon-related diseases in Bengaluru: Health Minister

BENGALURU: A total of 2,150 suspected cases of vector-borne diseases have been registered in Bengaluru municipal limits so far this monsoon, Health Minister U T Khader said here Tuesday.

“We’ve confirmed 68 of the cases and there have been no deaths so far,” the minister said after taking stock of the Bengaluru civic corporation’s readiness to tackle infectious diseases during rains.

Khader directed municipal health officers to prepare an action plan for each of the 198 wards in the city and identify areas or localities that are unhygienic. “I have asked the civic body to follow a three-pronged approach: awareness drives, ensuring availability of medicines in corporation hospitals and immediate treatment for those who contract communicable diseases,” Khader said.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ( BBMP) has announced a week-long drive in the city, starting June 16 from slums, June 17 in under-construction buildings, June 18 in educational institutions, June 19 in government offices, June 20 in public spaces, June 21 in hospitals and June 22 in industrial areas. “This will involve municipal health officials, NGOs and citizens. Cleanliness drives will be taken up,” the minister said.

Citizens can call the civic body’s round-the-clock helpline 080-22975684 to register complaints, he added.