Mysuru: Officials from the District Health Department and the health wing of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) are on their toes to prevent the spread of killer dengue that has already created panic in city.
In the wake of cases of high fever being reported from across the city, especially from Janatanagar, Neelakantanagar, Jayanagar, J.P. Nagar near the Sewage Treatment Plant, Kesare, R.S. Naidunagar, Udayagiri and K.G. Koppal, D. Devaraj Urs Colony J.P. Nagar, Mysuru Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep held a meeting at his office this morning where health officials from the district, Mysuru taluk and MCC were directed to combat the diseases effectively.
At the meeting, apart from a power-point presentation on the dengue situation in city, officials demonstrated how Aedes Aegypti mosquito carries dengue virus breeds and the causes for the spread of the disease. A total of 71 cases of dengue have been reported from across the district since January this year.
Addressing the officials, Deputy Commissioner Randeep said that officials must accord priority to prevent the spread of all vector-borne diseases. He told them to follow protocol to control the disease and take immediate measures including fogging, prevention of water stagnation in houses and public places, MCC toilets and other vulnerable areas.
He asked the MCC officials to ensure that drainages are cleaned regularly and they are cleared of water soon after it rains. The District Health Officer was asked to call a meeting of private hospitals on June 8 (Thursday) to brief them about the measures to be taken if a patient comes to their hospital with fever.
“Private hospitals must be asked to report any suspect cases to the district health office. They must be asked not to disclose dengue cases to the patient and their families unless the disease is confirmed by the government health officials,” the DC said, warning private hospitals and laboratories not to spread panic.
Randeep asked the officials to focus on slum areas and said, “We have heard that a few private hospitals are giving false information to patients’ relatives about dengue. Unless it is confirmed by the district health department, private hospitals should not issue such statements,” the DC said and called for a better coordination between district, taluk and MCC health departments.
The DC said that blood samples for suspect dengue cases must be tested as per Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) procedure. “Private labs resort to Rapid Card Test that is not reliable. As soon as any report of dengue deaths is reported in the media, you must rush to the spot to ascertain the facts and issue a clarification if the death is not due to dengue. If necessary meet the heads of the media to inform facts,” the DC said.
District Vector Borne Diseases Control Officer Dr. Chidambara, District Health Officer, District Health Officer Dr. B. Basavaraju, MCC Senior Health Officer Dr. Ramachandra, Health Officer Dr. Nagaraj, District Surgeon Dr. Pashupathi and other officials were present.
Dengue, its cause & prevention
A disease caused by female Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes.
Also known as ‘break bone fever’, these mosquitoes bite during day.
Open water containers and stagnant water are the main breeding places.
Common symptoms: High fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea and vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain and skin rash.
Prevention tips
Turn over empty containers without lids so that they do not collect water. If the container cannot be emptied, cover it well when not in use. Discard empty coconut shells, old tyres as they collect rainwater.
Clean out empty flowerpots and do not over-water potted plants.
Do not have any stagnant water around the house.
Make sure windows and doors screens (mesh) do not have any holes. Always sleep under a mosquito net.
Empty and clean water trays of coolers and air conditioners regularly.
Use natural repellents like lemon eucalyptus oil, lavender, neem and cinnamon oil.
Plants with mosquito repellent properties like feverfew, citronella, catnip and lavender could be planted around the house.
Keep your surroundings clean and wear protective clothes.
This post was published on June 6, 2017 6:58 pm