New Delhi, July 4 (PTI): Over 18,700 cases of dengue have been reported in the country this year, with the Health Ministry attributing early onset of monsoon as one of the factors for spurt in cases ahead of the vector-borne disease season.
The maximum number of cases have been reported in Kerala with 9,104 followed by Tamil Nadu with 4,174 till July 2.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda today held a review meet on preparedness for vector-borne diseases here, which was attended by Health Secretary C K Mishra, Director General of ICMR Soumya Swaminathan, senior officials of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) and other institutions.
Secretary Mishra said Kerala is battling a multiple onslaught of dengue, malaria and other such diseases due to early arrival of monsoon.
Mishra added that many of these reported cases include suspected ones too, so the final confirmed cases tally would only come by the year end, after the season ends.
As many as 10,952 chikungunya cases have also been reported in the country till July 2. Karnataka has recorded highest number of cases with 4047.
