Health department intensifies drive against dengue in district

71 tested positive since Jan 2017, no death due to dengue

Following suspected dengue deaths, the Health department officials have intensified the drive against the disease and have also confirmed that no death has been caused due to dengue.

“As many as 459 suspected dengue cases were reported from January and 71 of them tested positive. However, no death has been caused due to dengue and all the patients have recovered,” District Health Officer (DHO) Dr B Basavaraju said.

The district administration and the Health Department have taken all necessary measures and have also conducted several awareness drives across the district to sensitise the people. According to District Vector Borne Diseases Control Officer Dr S Chidambar, the cases are high at Mahadevapura, Bannur in T Narasipur taluk, Neelakantanagar in Nanjangud town and Shabreena Nagar in Hunsur. Deputy Commissioner D Randeep has also directed the Health department officials to identify dengue and other epidemic disease infected areas and submit an action plan to take measures before June 10.

Health officials have also suggested use of mosquito nets at anganwadi centres and at hostels to avoid mosquito bite among children and students. Dr Chidambar said that the authorities have visited 3,52,688 houses in Mysuru city to create awareness among the residents. All efforts have been made to check the breeding of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by ensuring reduction at source. He said a house-to-house survey would educate people about the spread of mosquitoes through water stagnating in cement tanks, flower pots, tender coconut shells, tyres, air coolers, unused grinding stones and discarded helmets. Protection from mosquito bite could avert the spread of the disease.

The doctor said that awareness programmes have been organised in schools and students have been asked to maintain cleanliness in schools and also in their respective houses. “The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector that transmits viruses that cause dengue. Dengue can be confirmed only after Elisa test.

Though private health institutions conduct the test, they must bring it to the notice of the Health department to confirm. A few private hospitals are declaring fever as dengue without Elisa test,” he said.

According to the doctor, dengue fever is a severe flu-like illness while Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a more severe form of the disease as it can lead to death. Persons suspected of having dengue fever or DHF must consult a doctor immediately.

District Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) officer Dr Gopinath said that Mission Indradhanush, an immunisation drive against seven diseases, is under progress since 2015. As many as 1,376 pregnant women, 5,112 children below 2 years and 1,798 children between 5 and 6 years of age have been identified for immunisation under the fourth phase.

Similarly, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has also formed a team to oversee the precautionary measures and to create awareness about dengue and chikungunya at zonal levels. The city has 65 wards and nine zones.
DH News Service