'Vector control only way to stop Dengue from spreading'
New Delhi: Leading experts in medicine at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) on Thursday advised people to focus on prevention of dengue. The expert also said that as of now there is no medicine or vaccine that can prevent dengue. Only vector control can help check its spread.
Dr Ashutosh Biswas, Professor, Medicine department, AIIMS said, "There should be no cause for panic as there was only 2 per cent mortality in dengue cases."
Professor while highlighting the measures being taken on National Dengue Day, said, "National Capital and nearby areas have also been affected badly by it. We are urging people to ensure cleanliness in their homes and neighbourhood to check stagnation of clean water because that's where Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes that transmit dengue breed."
He further said, "Last year over one lakh people suffered from dengue all over the country. Four thousand cases have been reported so far this year, out of which four have died."
He also said that AIIMS has been studying and collecting data for last 10 years, which reveals that mortality rate of dengue in AIIMS is around 7-10 per cent, because patients come here at the extreme stage."
He suggested that every hospital must have a "dengue corner" where trained doctors and paramedical staff should be deployed for the treatment of dengue so that patients could avail better treatment.
Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, said, "There is no need to admit every patients to the hospital because most of them recover from general medication."
While discussing about Dengue Shock syndrome (DSS), the final stage of the more severe occurrence of dengue – Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) which is fatal without prompt treatment, Dr Biswas said, "It is a severe form of dengue which affects blood and lymph vessels, and if untreated can lead to a failure of the circulatory systems putting the body in bleeding and shock stage."
Symptoms of DSS include sudden drops in blood pressure, a rapid and weak pulse, breathing problems, vomiting, stomach pain, bleeding, less urinal discharge, dilated pupils, cold clammy skin, dry mouth, and restlessness. Once the patient goes into DSS, it could be fatal within 12 to 24 hours, unless treatment is given immediately.
