A dengue scare looms large in South India as 22,312 cases have been reported Kerala leads with 12,906 cases and 22 deaths so far followed by Tamil Nadu with 5,013 cases and one death. Karnataka reported 3,682 cases and five deaths.
The weak monsoon has not only impacted the agriculture sector but has also sent the health department into a tizzy with a huge spike in mosquito-borne disease cases.
Out of 26,064 dengue cases and 36 deaths recorded so far, in this year, 22,312 cases and 28 deaths have been from the South Indian states alone. Among them, Kerala and Tamil Nadu take the lead with 12,906 and 5013 cases respectively.
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Karnataka is also not far behind, as it has already reported 3,682 cases and five deaths so far.
Karnataka State Surveillance Officer for National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Dr BG Prakash Kumar, said an alarming increase in cases of dengue is due to the failure of monsoon in Southern states.
Heavy rains wash away the dengue larvae, but due to intermittent rains, there is stagnation of water and hence an increase in cases.
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In July, the monsoon is usually heavy, but this time it has been mild. In a place like Kerala, where the South West monsoon enters, there is a deficit of 19 percent.
"Although Karnataka reported many cases, there is no need to panic as timely symptomatic treatment can save the patient. Only one in 100 cases will reach complications, and with adequate treatment, the patient can be saved," he said.
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He added that as the monsoon had wreaked havoc in North India, the cases from the Northen States are likely to witness a drastic increase in the coming weeks thanks to floods and the stagnation of water - a breeding ground for dengue mosquitos.
Symptoms that can save you from dengue:
Abrupt onset of high fever, severe frontal headache, pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye movement, muscle and joint pains, loss of sense of taste and appetite, measles-like rash over chest and upper limbs and nausea and vomiting are some of the symptoms of dengue.
If a person has witnessed these symptoms in him or her or among his family and friends, consulting a doctor will save lives.
"As there is no specific medicine for the disease, doctors give only symptomatic treatment and advise rest, fresh foods along with liquid diet and consumption of hot water," he said.
Some preventive measures
- Remove water from coolers and other small containers at least once in a week
- Use aerosol during day time to prevent the bites of mosquitoes
- Do not wear clothes that expose arms and legs
- Children should not be allowed to play in shorts, and half sleeved clothes
- Use mosquito nets or mosquito repellents while sleeping during day time
