City witnesses alarming rise in dengue cases

With the cases of dengue in the city rising at an alarming rate, the doctors have advised citizens to take precautionary steps to avoid mosquito bite during the day.

“The Dengue mosquito which is otherwise known as the Aides mosquito bites only during the day while <g data-gr-id="18">the malaria</g> causing mosquito bites during the night. People do everything in their power to avoid mosquito bites during the night but are not serious about preventing mosquito bites during the day hours which is the main cause of the disease,” said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, President HCFI & Honorary Secretary General Indian Media Association (IMA). As per the data released by three MCDs in the city, the rate of dengue disease this time around is five times higher than the previous year. 

The spokesperson of South MCD, Mukesh Yadav cautioned the residents not to collect fresh water in their locality due to the possibility of the <g data-gr-id="15">dengue carrying</g> mosquito breeding there. 

“We have directed our mosquito breeding checkers to identify and issue <g data-gr-id="16">chalans</g>,” said Yadav. 

“People feel that they are safe in clean urban environments without realizing that mosquitos could be breeding in the clean water filled bucket kept in their backyard,” he added. 

He also advised people to wear clothes that cover most of the body as well as to use an effective mosquito repellent. The symptoms of dengue include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, an abrupt change from fever to hypothermia, or abnormal mental status, such as disorientation.