Mysore/Mysuru: Even as the National Dengue Day is being observed across the country, it is often proved that a certain type of mosquito species known as ‘Aedes Aegypti’ is the culprit that causes dengue virus to spread. In order to create public awareness and educate the public on the deadly disease, National Dengue Day is being observed across the country today (May 16).

As such, awareness programmes is being carried out extensively across the city on the preventive measures to be taken for checking the deadly Vector-borne disease. According to the findings of many studies,  ‘Aedes Aegypti’ mosquito species is the main carrier of this deadly disease. This mosquito is also the culprit for the cause of another deadly epidemic — Chikungunya fever. Another speciality of this dangerous mosquito is that it bites only human beings and not any other animals.

‘Aedes Aegypti’ species is the main carrier of the virus after it bites a person already infected with the disease. The symptoms of this deadly disease is fever, headache, pain in the eyes, muscles and knees.

In Mysuru district, a total of 1,804 people have shown symptoms of dengue as on May 14, of whom 154 have tested positive. In Mysuru city alone, 519 people showed symptoms of the disease, out of whom 53 have tested positive. Last year, blood samples of 4,815 people who showed symptoms of the disease, were tested, when as many as 789 of them tested positive for the deadly virus. In 2021, as many as 182 out of the 825 affected, tested positive.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, District Vector-Borne Diseases Control Officer Dr. S. Chidambara said that this mosquito specie will be active in all seasons of the year. Pointing out that this mosquito specie does not breed in water bodies, he said that this mosquito will breed in stagnant waters and hence people should take care that stagnant water collected in coconut shells, discarded tyres, water tanks, sumps and such other water containers is thrown out. He reiterated that this mosquito is also the main virus carrier for other deadly disease — Chikungunya. Though Chikungunya is not deadly, dengue is a deadly virus if left untreated in the beginning which can often cause deaths.

Dr. Chidambara further said that though the symptoms for both the deadly epidemics is common between the two for the first 3-4 days of showing of symptoms, the symptoms change from the fourth day and as such medical check-up is vital. He also asked the people to immediately undergo check-ups if they show early symptoms.