Dengue Surge in J&K: 21 Fresh Cases Push Tally to 411, Municipal Zones in Jammu Worst Affected

• Sanitation Gaps and Stagnant Water Fuel Dengue Spread, Municipal Belts Account for Most Cases

JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 13: Dengue cases are steadily climbing across Jammu and Kashmir, with the Health Department confirming 21 fresh infections on Friday. This brings the total number of cases this year to 411, alongside one death already recorded in June. Officials reported that Jammu district remains a major contributor, logging 10 of the latest cases and pushing its cumulative count to 135. Kathua followed with six fresh infections (114 in total), Samba reported two (49 overall), and Udhampur and Ramban added one case each. One patient was traced outside the Union Territory.

Health records indicate that municipal areas remain the primary hotspots in Jammu. As of September 12, 93 cases were traced to city zones compared to 42 from non-municipal areas. This urban dominance echoes trends from last year, when by the same date Jammu had logged 291 infections, with 235 traced to its municipal belts. Experts point to sanitation gaps, accumulation of stagnant water, and poor drainage in congested neighborhoods as the leading causes behind the spread.

The Union Territory’s lone fatality came on June 29, when a middle-aged male patient from Rehari, Jammu, succumbed while being shifted from a private hospital to Ludhiana. Officials noted his attendants had removed him against medical advice. Since January, 14 patients have required hospital admission, with four discharged, nine still under treatment, and one fatality.

Testing numbers also reflect the growing concern. This year, 9,736 dengue tests have been conducted in J&K, yielding 411 positives. In comparison, during the same period last year, 539 infections had already been confirmed from 8,389 tests. Officials stressed that while the overall tally remains lower than 2024, the rising daily average since early September is a cause for vigilance. The last week alone recorded between 13 and 37 cases per day, with the sharpest spike on September 11.

In response, the Health Department and Jammu Municipal Corporation have intensified fogging operations across the city. Two rounds were carried out earlier—in June-July and again from September 2 to 12—while a third round commenced on Friday. Both residential and commercial areas are being targeted. Authorities also launched community awareness drives, urging residents to eliminate stagnant water, use mosquito repellents and nets, and improve household and neighborhood hygiene to curb breeding grounds.

The state’s health experts underscored that though the outbreak remains under manageable levels, September traditionally marks a peak transmission window. Unless preventive measures are strictly followed, the risk of wider community spread could escalate in the coming weeks. The administration has appealed for public cooperation, stressing that vector control remains a shared civic responsibility.