Bengaluru is facing a serious dengue outbreak as the monsoon rains continue. In July 2025 alone, the city reported 442 dengue cases, while 1,685 cases have been recorded since the start of the year, according to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
On Monday, BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao ordered strict mosquito-control measures across the city. He directed officials to spray insecticides, use fogging machines, and kill mosquito larvae using chemicals. He also suggested setting up OV traps in homes to catch and monitor mosquitoes.
The BBMP has asked the public to help in controlling the outbreak. People are advised to avoid water stagnation around their homes, as Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread dengue breed in clean, still water.
Health experts warn that dengue cases usually rise between May and August due to water collecting in flower pots, coolers, tires, and construction sites during the rains.
In the past decade, Karnataka has seen several dengue outbreaks, especially in Bengaluru. A study in the Indian Journal of Medical Research blamed rapid city growth and poor waste management as key causes.
Symptoms of dengue include high fever, headache, nausea, muscle pain, and skin rashes. In severe cases, it can lead to bleeding, difficulty in breathing, and even organ damage. Warning signs such as vomiting blood, gum bleeding, or extreme weakness need immediate medical care.
To stay safe, the BBMP advises people to:
- Remove stagnant water from coolers, pots, and tires
- Cover all water containers
- Change water regularly in vases and birdbaths
- Use mosquito nets and repellents
- Wear full-sleeved clothes, especially in the mornings and evenings
Doctors say that public cooperation is key. A Lancet study showed that when local people took action together, dengue cases dropped sharply in Southeast Asia.
The BBMP urges Bengaluru residents to stay alert and help stop the spread of dengue before it worsens.
