More than 1 lakh cases have been reported in states and UT’s across the country primarily in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Delhi has had the highest number of cases since 2015 creating havoc in the capital. Along with this, the Zika virus is also spreading. There have been more than 100 freshly cases reported in the city of Kanpur.
Health experts say that not a single but various factors are responsible for the current surge in dengue
HOW DOES DENGUE SPREAD?
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection, transmitted by female mosquitoes belonging to the species Aedes aegypti. This mosquito typically lay eggs in standing water and also spread Zika and Chikungunya viruses.
It can be spread through the mosquito bite, from pregnant mother to child, through healthcare laboratories and infected blood.
It can not be directly spread from person to person. However, a person infected and suffering from dengue fever can infect other mosquitoes.
WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR THE CURRENT SURGE?
Health experts say that there is not one, but many factors involved that account for the high transmission.
1. Prolonged monsoon
“The withdrawal of the monsoon was quite delayed this year. The accumulation of water due to the heavy rains, which continued well into October this year, may have led to the surge,” says Dr Om Shrivastav.
Delhi has had the most rainfall since 1960 as per Indian Meteorological Department.
2. Prevailing Health emergency
While the governments were busy dealing with COVID-19 preparations this time, perhaps the cautionary measures for dengue got less attention, suggests Apollo Hospital’s, Dr Chatterjee.
3. Access mosquitoes breeding
Solid wastes and water needs to be treated properly in order to prevent the mosquitoes from breeding
According to World Health Organization data:
- There is no specific treatment for dengue/severe dengue. Early detection of disease progression associated with severe dengue, and access to proper medical care, lower fatality rates of severe dengue to below 1%.
- The global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades. About half of the world’s population is now at risk. There are an estimated 100-400 million infections each year.
- Dengue prevention and control depends on effective vector control measures. Sustained community involvement can improve vector control efforts substantially.
SYMPTOMS OF DENGUE :
Dengue should be suspected when a high fever (40 °C/104 °F) is accompanied by 2 of the following symptoms during the febrile phase:
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pains
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Swollen glands
- Rash
SEVERE DENGUE :
Severe dengue is a potentially fatal complication, due to plasma leaking, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding, or organ impairment.
Warning signs that doctors should look for include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Bleeding gums
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Blood in vomit
If patients manifest these symptoms during the critical phase, close observation for the next 24–48 hours is essential so that proper medical care can be provided, to avoid complications and risk of death.
Protection from mosquito bites:
- Use of household protection measures, such as window screens, repellents, insecticide-treated materials, coils, and vaporizers. These measures must be observed during the day both inside and outside the home as the primary mosquito vectors bite during the day.
- Wearing clothing that minimizes skin exposure to mosquitoes.
- Applying insecticides and pesticides
- Sanitizing and changing the water regularly from tanks and containers.
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