Jammu Region Reports Rising Dengue Cases Amid Monsoon Waterlogging Concerns

Dengue cases in the Jammu region have spiked over the past two weeks, with officials attributing the rise to heavy monsoon rains and widespread waterlogging that foster mosquito breeding. Jammu district leads with the highest tally, prompting intensified fogging and public awareness drives by local authorities. While the overall count for 2025 remains below last year's figures, the upward trend signals a need for heightened vigilance in this vector-borne disease hotspot.

Health officials reported over 1,100 dengue cases across the Jammu region so far this year, a slight dip from 2024's total of approximately 7,000 for the entire Jammu and Kashmir. Heavy downpours have left stagnant water in drains, containers, and low-lying areas, creating ideal conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary dengue vector. "Water is stagnating in several places, which is leading to mosquito growth," a health department spokesperson noted, emphasising that the trend is particularly acute in urban and semi-urban pockets. By September 30, 15,087 tests had been conducted, yielding 1,105 positives—a lower positivity rate than the 1,876 from 14,112 tests in 2024 at the same juncture.

Jammu district accounts for 460 cases, followed by Kathua with 342, Udhampur at 105, and Samba with 98. Smaller numbers in Reasi (21), Rajouri (42), Poonch (12), and Doda (13) are also climbing steadily, though no deaths have been recorded this season. In contrast, 2023 saw 6,403 cases and 10 fatalities, while 2022 peaked at 8,269 infections with 18 deaths. Earlier years showed gradual escalation from negligible figures, such as two cases in 2009 and none in 2010, reflecting improved surveillance but persistent seasonal risks tied to climate patterns.

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To combat the surge, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has ramped up citywide thermal fogging and larvicide spraying, targeting sensitive zones. JMC Commissioner Devansh Yadav stressed that "safeguarding the health and well-being of citizens is the foremost priority," directing teams to focus on densely populated and waterlogged areas. Residents are urged to eliminate breeding sites by clearing drains, covering water storage, and using repellents, nets, and full-sleeved clothing. Doctors echoed these calls, warning that unchecked stagnation during monsoons exacerbates outbreaks, and early detection through testing remains key to containment.

As Jammu and Kashmir navigates post-monsoon recovery, sustained community-government collaboration is crucial to curb dengue's spread, especially with autumn's cooler temperatures potentially slowing but not halting transmission. Officials anticipate continued monitoring through winter, drawing lessons from past peaks to bolster resilience in this ecologically diverse region.

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