Mangalore: conspiracy to Hide Actual Number of Dengue Cases ?
Pics: Dayananda Kukkaje 
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)

Mangalore Jun 26:  As the number of dengue fever cases rise, the centre for surveillance of diseases which should be sophisticated, is dogged by apathy. Sources in the district health department have alleged that there is a conspiracy to hide the actual number of dengue cases, which is another instance of negligence.  

The integrated disease surveillance centre situated near the railway station is not equipped to even test a sample easily and has to cover four districts—Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Hassan, and Coorg—for testing blood samples.

When the Daijiworld team entered the district health office, technicians were found collecting samples from the officers. This shows that the officials were attempting to collect normal case samples to prove that dengue is not a menace and the cases found are rare, said a source.  

However, district health officer Dr H Jagannath said that the testing was for officials to check whether these officials had been infected with dengue after visiting regions where it was prevalent.

When asked about the allegations that his office had been directed by some senior officials to show fewer number of dengue cases on their list, he said that there was no need to conceal information and that they published the report as is.

But our source, who wished anonymity, insisted that the office is not being transparent in its report.

One look at the surveillance centre shows that it is in a pathetic state. The centre has not seen any improvement since it was first established and there is a shortage of a lot of equipment.

There are only two senior technicians, a microbiologist, and two ‘Group D’ staff, while as per government rules, there should have been one surveillance officer, one assistant entomologist, one microbiologist, one senior health officer, four senior technologists, and four ‘Group D’ staff.

There is only one ‘Group D’ staff to work the night shift, and when he is on leave the office is closed at nights. The two technicians who work here are on official duty (OOD). These two also have to serve in other remote areas of the district for two days every week.

The tools for ELISA detection also do not function since their installation. This test requires a completely closed room which is not exposed to light and air. But windows of the testing room at the centre are fully open and the air conditioner installed here does not function either. 

Dr Jagannath added that the rapid action force formed by his office, including the staff in the public health centres, is working to control the problems of dengue through fogging, indoor sprays, and also by creating awareness.