Telangana is grappling with a severe dengue outbreak, with over a thousand cases reported in the first seven months of this year. Effective control of dengue requires robust infrastructure in clinics for tracking, testing, and treating the disease, alongside comprehensive mosquito control measures. However, allegations have surfaced that the Congress government is neglecting sanitation, mosquito prevention, and creating necessary facilities in health department clinics.
The World Health Organization recently issued a warning that dengue cases are expected to rise, noting that all four major dengue variants—DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4—are present in the state. Despite the government’s advisory to take precautionary measures, inadequate actions have been taken to combat the spread of the disease.
From January to June this year, 1,078 dengue cases have been officially reported, according to medical sources. This figure likely underrepresents the true number, as many private clinics are allegedly not reporting cases. Compared to the same period last year, which saw 706 cases, there has been a 52 percent increase. Malaria is also on the rise, with 78 cases reported so far this year.
A significant contributor to the mosquito proliferation is the lack of sanitation in villages and towns. Since the Congress government took office, no monthly funds have been released to village and urban local bodies, resulting in accumulated arrears of up to Rs. 3,000 crores over seven months. This financial shortfall has left villages unable to afford even basic sanitation measures like bleaching powder.