While dengue fever deaths continue to rise in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Kerala has been able to control its outbreak in the last two months, from the high numbers seen in August.
From the beginning of the year, a number of dengue cases have been reported in Kerala. In January, there were 435 confirmed dengue cases in the state while the first death this year due to dengue, was reported in February.
As per the Kerala Directorate of Health services report, the number of cases increased from hundreds to thousands since April and the number of deaths also rose.
In April, there were 1,066 cases and one death was reported. In May, it increased to 2,477, in June it reached 4,145 and in July, it was 5,251. By August, the number of cases saw a slight decrease but the number of deaths reported was highest as 10 succumbed. In July, nine people had died.
However, in September, the number of cases had come down to 1,163 and no deaths were reported. In October till Thursday, 287 dengue cases were reported, with no deaths.
Data from the Union Health ministry had earlier showed that half of the dengue deaths in the country were reported from Kerala till August. Till August, the total deaths in the country due to dengue were 58 and among them, 34 were from Kerala.
However, the data of last two months shows that the state has been able to tackle the issue to an extent.
The health department, which runs 1,200 hospitals across the state, has launched some major steps in the last few months to check the spread of dengue.
Separate health committees were formed to deal with the dengue outbreak and spread awareness among the public. The department has also devised an action plan to tackle the mosquito menace and make people aware.
Specific plans were implemented and clear instructions were given to all hospitals, says the department.