Drive to check vector diseases as dengue, chikungunya sting residents hard
19 Sep 2016 11:58 PM GMT
SYMPTOMS
Dengue
Cause: Viral infection transmitted by Aedes ageypti mosquitoes that breed in stagnant waters during day time
Symptoms: Fever for the initial three-four days, rashes on the skin, followed by body pain, reduced white blood cells and low platelet count. In acute cases, there is decreased urine output and respiratory problems
Chikungunya
Cause: Viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes during day time
Symptoms: The prominent symptoms of chikungunya include excessive body pain or myalgia, swelling in the joints and rashes all over the body. Nausea, vomiting, pain/irritation in the eyes, swelling in the legs and fatigue are common. The body pain, in this case, is more severe than that of dengue. It could lead to bleeding, in some cases.
Prevention
- Ensure there is no stagnant water in your house and surroundings
- Change the water in room coolers at least once a week
- Avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes – use mosquito nets and repellents
- Ensure that fogging is carried out in your respective areas on a regular basis
- Patients should increase their intake of fluids
- Chikungunya and dengue patients are given paracetamol for the fever to subside, but not in the first three days. Since both the diseases have similar symptoms, giving any kind of medicines, including painkillers in the first two-three days is fatal.
The Delhi government on Sunday launched a mass awareness drive to encourage people to clear stagnant water on premises of residential and public buildings, as the city continues to battle rising cases of chikungunya and dengue.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in clean water and flower pots, coolers, tyres and bird feeders and other utensils are common places, which serve as a breeding ground.
As part of the drive, the government asked people to devote at least 30 minutes to check if there were stagnant water in their residential complexes and around it, to prevent mosquito-breeding.
Health Minister Satyendra Jain had on Saturday appealed to the people, saying, "There are 42 lakh households in Delhi, and if all of you cooperate then we can together root out dengue and chikungunya from the city."
At least 15 people have died due to chikungunya complication and 18 have succumbed to dengue this season. Over 1,700 cases of chikungunya have been reported in the national capital while dengue has affected more than 1,100 people.
Jain on Sunday also tweeted about how people and public institution like Delhi Metro and AIIMS were supporting the campaign. The hashtag of #DengueFreeDelhi has been used for it to spread the word on the social media.
"Office of MLO, Transport Dptt, New Delhi participate in #DengueFreeDelhi campaign.
"Mandi House Metro Station authorities participate in #DengueFreeDelhi campaign.
"I request all to devote 30 min for house cleaning. Do not let water stagnate in and around the houses.
"Development Dptt of Animal Husbandry Unit Veterinary Hospital Alipur shows efforts in participating #DengueFreeDelhi.
"INA and AIIMS Metro Station Authorities clean office & surrounding area. #DengueFreeDelhi," Jain said in a series of tweets.
The Delhi government has been facing attack from opposition parties for "failing" to check the spread of the two vector-borne diseases.
At least 10 per cent of the beds in Central government-run hospitals like Ram Manohar Lohia, Safdarjung and Lady Hardinge, have been reserved for patients suffering from chikungunya and dengue. With this, 1,000 additional beds would now be available in hospitals here.
"We appeal to people to not panic. All adequate arrangements are there in all hospitals, run under Delhi government or Centre or MCD," he added.
The government has already said that all hospitals, mohalla clinics and polyclinics would remain open on Sundays till October 30.
The current chikungunya outbreak is the worst to hit the national Capital in almost the past 10 years.
Next Story
