Lucknow: The city reported 21 fresh dengue cases on Monday, highlighting a sharp rise in infections across the city, with the daily average nearly tripling from about nine cases in the first week of Oct.Official data show that 425 dengue cases were recorded in the district during Oct, significantly higher than the 288 cases reported during the same period last year. Health officials attribute the increase to favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes during the post-monsoon period.District malaria officer Dr Ritu Srivastava said the rise in cases was being closely monitored and that the situation remained under control despite the upward trend.“Although dengue cases have increased this Oct compared to the corresponding period last year, the overall situation is much better than what was witnessed in 2024. Continuous surveillance and preventive measures are being carried out across the district. With temperatures expected to fall further in the coming days, mosquito activity is likely to decline, which should also lead to a reduction in dengue cases,” she said.Officials expressed hope that the onset of cooler weather would help curb mosquito breeding and slow the rise in fresh infections.Public health experts, however, cautioned that the steady increase in cases warrants heightened vigilance. “Dengue cases tend to rise when favourable conditions for mosquito breeding persist, particularly due to water accumulation and inadequate vector-control measures. The rising daily average is a matter of concern and calls for intensified surveillance, timely testing and aggressive source-reduction activities.“People should not ignore symptoms such as persistent fever, severe headache, body ache or weakness and must seek medical attention promptly. Community participation is equally important to prevent further transmission,” said Prof D Himanshu, an infectious disease specialist at KGMU.
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