Thursday, 03 November 2022 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The menace of the vector borne disease dengue is continuing in the State despite the onset of the winters. The state health department reported 29 new cases of the disease on Wednesday which increased the tally of the vector borne disease to 1959 in the State.
It is generally believed that the cases of dengue reduce sharply with the onset of winters as its virus becomes ineffective at low temperatures. However, contrary to this belief the cases of dengue continue to be reported, especially from the plain districts of the state.
On Wednesday 10 patients of the disease each were reported from Dehradun and Nainital districts. Seven patients were found in Pauri while two were reported from Udham Singh Nagar district. Dehradun with 1320 cases in the state is on the top of the district wise cases of the disease followed by Haridwar with 269 cases.
The district vector borne diseases officer of Dehradun, Subhash Joshi that the Aedes mosquitoes – the vector of dengue- are capable of laying their eggs in one spoonful of water so the pots, vases, water bottles and coolers should be decanted. He said that anti dengue activities are going on in the affected and the sensitive areas of the district. He informed that the health department with the help of Asha workers has undertaken source reduction activity on a large scale in the city.
Dengue is a viral infection spread by the mosquito Aedes Aezypti popularly known as Tiger Mosquito. The symptoms of the disease are persistent high fever, rashes, headache and pain in the joints.
Ways to prevent Dengue
1 Don not allow water to collect in and near houses.
2 Regularly decant fridges, coolers, pots or cans.
3 Spread kerosene or other oils on small water bodies which are effective to destroy the larvae of Aedes mosquito.
4 Inform district health authorities for fogging to kill mosquitoes.
5 Aedes strikes during day time and flies near ground level so wear full sleeved clothes at work places.
6 Immediately seek medical advice when someone develops fever.
