PUNE: As per the State Health Department, over 1,231 cases of dengue were reported across Maharashtra this year. Pune tops the chart with 330 cases reported between January 1 till July 15. Kolhapur is second on the list with 316 dengue cases and two deaths.
In Maharashtra, about 11,011 dengue cases and 55 deaths were reported in 2018 as per the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program of the government.
Speaking about the scenario in Maharashtra, the State Surveillance Officer of State Health Department, Dr Pradeep Awate, said that surveillance for dengue is an ongoing process throughout the year. “There are two types of surveillance, which is ongoing. We check for patients with symptoms of dengue and keep a track. Another is done by the municipal corporation to check for breeding grounds,” said Dr Awate.
He also added that dengue-related awareness plays a pivotal role among school-going children.
“Children can identify breeding grounds at home and surroundings and hence making them aware is crucial. Followed by this, doctors and various stakeholders are also involved in dengue-related awareness programmes,” said Dr Awate.
With monsoon reaching the city, vector-borne diseases such as dengue have risen, according to the doctors at a city-based hospital.
Speaking to Sakal Times, Consultant at city-based Columbia Asia Hospital Dr Mahesh Lakhe said that the hospital has received about 100 cases of the mosquito-bite related disease since June.
“Until a few years ago, dengue occurred with the onset of monsoon when the humidity was on the rise. But now, the pattern has changed, owing to shift in climatic patterns and other factors. Climate change has a profound effect on the global distribution and burden of infectious diseases and the range of mosquito-borne diseases may expand due to climate change,” said Dr Lakhe.
He further added that dengue is a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults.
“Dengue is characterised by a high fever (104°F) that is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash and the symptoms usually last for 2 to 7 days,” said Dr Lakhe.
DOCTORS SHARE DOS AND DON’TS FOR CITIZENS
DOS
- Use mosquito repellents and nets to prevent mosquito bites.
- Install screens on your doors and windows to prevent entry of mosquitoes.
- Keep yourself hydrated. throughout the day and carry water while going out.
- Aedes Egypti mosquitoes usually bite on the knees, legs, neck and ears. Wear full-sleeve clothes.
DON’TS
- Don’t allow water to collect in open spaces and surroundings.
- Don’t keep water containers open as they can attract mosquitoes to breed.
- Don’t allow children to wear short-sleeved clothes and play in water puddles and stagnant water bodies.
- Don’t self-medicate if you have symptoms of dengue like fever and body ache.