Representative image showing a mosquito.
Credit: iStock Photo
Bengaluru: A youngster and a senior citizen have become the first likely casualties to the prevailing dengue outbreak in the city.
The deaths have been reported amid a surge in dengue cases that breached the 1,000 mark in the last two weeks, a two-fold increase than the corresponding period last year.
While Abhilash, the 24-year-old victim to the vector-borne disease hails from Kaggadasapura, the BBMP identified the 80-year-old who died as Niraja Devi, a native of Tamil Nadu. Devi was also suffering from cancer.
The civic body plans to assess the cause of death on Saturday.
"We will conduct a death audit by seeking reports from the hospitals. Only after the audit, we can give out more information," BBMP Special Commissioner (Health) Suralkar Vikas Kishore told DH.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded Rs 25 lakh compensation for people dying of dengue. Paying hefty compensation is the only way the BBMP and the government will responsibly act in preventing the spread of the viral infection. The party also asked for free treatment for patients even in private hospitals, similar to what was arranged during the Covid pandemic.
“The BBMP has failed to control the disease. We suspect Bengaluru has reported at least 40,000 dengue cases and not 1,500 cases as shared by the civic body. People are queuing up in front of hospitals,” party secretary Mohan Dasari said.
He added: “The government should provide free treatment to dengue patients in private hospitals as some hospitals are fleecing lakhs of rupees from patients.”
The under-pressure BBMP launched a micro plan on Friday to stop the spread of dengue. The civic body will also observe 'dry days' to destroy water storing places that might become possible breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
As part of the initiative, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath inspected a few places in New Thippasandra and GM Palya.
The civic body will also create awareness among people through audio announcements and door-to-door visits.