Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Nov 04 : Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a rise in dengue infections this year, with close to 2,900 confirmed cases reported so far, officials said on Tuesday.
Health experts have once again appealed to the public to follow precautionary measures to curb the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
As per official figures, available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 2,867 dengue cases have been registered across the Union Territory to date. Jammu continues to remain the worst hit with 1,209 cases, followed by Kathua with 772, Udhampur 399, and Samba 160.
Other districts reporting cases include Reasi (59), Rajouri (62), Poonch (26), Doda (58), Ramban (41) and Kishtwar (12). Twenty-eight cases have been detected in the Kashmir division while 41 cases were reported from outside J&K.
Officials said 24,141 tests have been carried out this year. “Only 48 patients needed hospitalization and nine of them are still undergoing treatment,” an official told KNO, adding that one resident of J&K lost his life at DMC Ludhiana due to dengue-related complications.
The official stressed that there is no dedicated vaccine or specific antiviral therapy available for dengue at present. “The only way to control dengue is to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes. People must keep their surroundings clean and ensure there is no stagnant water.”
Health experts said dengue continues to pose a serious public health threat.
“Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed even in small collections of clean water — like pots, tubs, tyres, lids, buckets or bottles. Every household needs to check such spots regularly,” doctors said. They advised people to use mosquito repellents, wear full-sleeved clothing and keep water storage containers covered.
Doctors further said that dengue mosquitoes tend to bite early morning and during late afternoon hours, therefore people are advised to use mosquito nets or window screens even during daytime rest.
Common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind eyes, intense body and joint aches, vomiting, nausea and rashes.
“Severe dengue can show red-flag symptoms like continuous vomiting, stomach pain, gum or nose bleeding, blood in stools or vomit, sudden fatigue or restlessness. Such cases need urgent hospitalization,” they warned.
Dengue cases have fluctuated in the region over the past few years — J&K recorded around 7,000 cases in 2024, 6,403 in 2023 and the highest ever 8,269 cases in 2022, which also resulted in 18 deaths. In comparison, dengue was almost non-existent in the region a decade ago—with only two cases reported in 2009 and none in 2010.
Authorities have once again appealed to the public to take the outbreak seriously and eliminate mosquito-breeding spots around homes, institutions and marketplaces to prevent further spread of the disease—(KNO)
