Kathua, Doda districts also show rising trend
Municipal areas still drive majority of infections
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Oct 26: The significant decline in dengue cases across Jammu and Kashmir this year has brought some relief to health authorities, but experts warned that the Union Territory cannot afford to relax its guard, particularly in Jammu district where the virus continues to circulate with alarming consistency.
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According to data issued by the Directorate of Health Services Jammu, 2,473 dengue cases have been recorded till October 25 this year, nearly half the 4,401 cases registered by the same date in 2024. On Friday alone, 65 fresh infections were reported from 334 tests conducted. The age-group profile shows 56 adults and nine children among the new patients, comprising 38 males and 27 females.
The district-wise breakdown reflects progress in several regions, yet Jammu district remains the epicentre with 1,045 cases so far. Even within Jammu, urban pockets dominate the spread as 787 cases have emerged from municipal limits, compared to 258 from non-municipal areas.
The contrast with last year remains striking: in 2024, municipal areas of Jammu had recorded a staggering 2,523 cases with only 249 coming from rural belts. Health experts say this shift demands a recalibrated response that prioritizes dense housing clusters, market belts and colonies that continue to breed mosquitoes unchecked.
While most districts including Samba, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch have witnessed notable declines this year, areas like Kathua and Doda have detected more cases than last season, indicating newly evolving hotspots. Tests conducted this year have been fewer in number, totalling 21,971 against 24,661 tests by this date last year, but a comparatively higher positivity rate suggests lingering community spread.
Hospitalization figures fortunately remain low with only 47 admissions reported since January, of which 41 have been discharged. Five patients continue to receive treatment and one death was confirmed from the region at DMC Ludhiana. The weekly trend from October 18 to 24 however signalled continued transmission, as daily case counts fluctuated between six and 76.
Public health voices argued that this year’s improvement must not become an excuse for complacency. They underlined that a more aggressive pre-emptive strategy is essential, especially in Jammu Municipal areas repeatedly flagged for larval breeding, including Gandhi Nagar, Digiana, Roop Nagar, Talab Tillo and Sainik Colony.
Intensified fogging operations, door-to-door inspections, strict enforcement against water stagnation in private and commercial establishments, and enhanced community education are being recommended as sustained measures. Moreover, early testing and rapid reporting need to be scaled up since late detection can raise the risk of clusters spreading silently.
Officials acknowledged the successful containment achieved this season through increased awareness and vector control drives, yet they emphasized that the threat has not disappeared. A collaborative effort between municipal bodies, health wings and the public will be crucial in ensuring that the gains made this year are not lost and that dengue no longer dictates health concerns in J&K.
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