PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Anticipating further dengue surge with the onset of monsoon, the Health department has directed Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and health volunteers to remain on high alert. This year, dengue cases have been reported earlier than usual, starting in April. A total of 102 cases have been reported in Dehradun district with some patients hailing from other states and districts.
The additional chief medical officer, Dehradun, Dr C S Rawat stated that it was difficult for them to predict how things will shape in the monsoon. “While dengue cases have been reported earlier this year, the situation is not yet that alarming. The experts anticipated that this year might see a peak in the number of the vector-borne cases. But till now things are not grave,” he said.
Dr Rawat further noted that many positive cases of dengue have been detected when individuals visited hospitals for other ailments and were found dengue positive during routine tests. “Interestingly, most of these patients did not come to the hospital specifically for dengue testing,” he added.
According to Dr Rawat, if there is continuous rainfall in the upcoming days, the chances of dengue surge will be minimal. “However, if the rainfall is intermittent, a sharp spike in dengue cases is likely,” he noted.
The health department is currently conducting combative activities with 100 volunteers in Dehradun and 40 in Rishikesh while 551 ASHAs have been conducting surveys and awareness activities across Dehradun district. Further, these teams have been instructed to stay on alert mode for the remainder of June and the whole of July. Fogging activities are being carried out by the teams and the civic body of Dehradun alike regularly. The department said that they are redoubling their current dengue prevention activities across the district, leaving nothing to chance with the monsoon approaching. “I urge the residents to be vigilant and follow essential precautions. They should under no circumstances allow water to accumulate in their surroundings,” Dr Rawat said.
Further, queried on the possible dengue spike in monsoon, the former medical superintendent at Deen Dayal Upadhyay District Hospital, Dr V S Chauhan said that based on current dengue cases, an increase is expected during the rainy season. “The Health department is fully alive to the situation, taking every step required to prevent dengue outbreak, but the common people should cooperate, too. They should use mosquito nets and repellents and remain vigilant about stagnant water around their homes. If any stagnant water is found, bleaching powder or chlorine oil should be poured to destroy potential larvae. Besides, if individuals experience symptoms such as headache or fever, they should consult a doctor as soon as possible rather than self-medicating,” he advised.
