Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Jun 20: The frequent game of hide and seek between rain and sunshine has made the health department officials here lose their sleep. Soon after confirmation of eight dengue cases, 53 suspected cases of dengue have been detected in the taluk. While some of the patients are being treated in government taluk hospital and private hospitals, others are taking medicines at home.

Dengue patients have been admitted each of the seven primary health centre limits. Medical tests have confirmed that one patient each was found in Daivastala, Vamadapadavu, Panjikallu, Bantwal town, Manchi, Kurnadu primary health centers and two in Punjalkatte primary health centre limits. Suspected cases of dengue have been reported from Vittal, Moorje, Koladu, Alike, Panjikalli, Moodanadugodu, Kairangala, Navoor, Kalladka and Benjanapadavu. Blood samples have been sent to the laboratories in Mangaluru for tests.

In Bantwal town, one case of dengue is confirmed and five suspected cases have been detected. The number of cases reported in rural area appear to be more than in the urban area. There is fear that dengue is likely to spread and cause loss of lives amid frequent changes in weather if people do not come forward to voluntarily get rid of mosquito breeding spots and take preventive measures.

Risk in cultivation

"The water left through sprinklers remains stagnant in areca leaves, pits and drains in the cultivation. Mosquitoes breed in such water spreading dengue in rural areas. Frequent sunshine and rain worsens dengue menace. Awareness among people is the only medicine for it," says taluk medical officer Dr Deepa Prabhu.

"The areas where dengue was reported have been visited already. Fogging has been undertaken to eliminate mosquitoes. Special attention is also being given to BC Road and Kaikamba," she says.

"Keeping the house surroundings clean and making sure that water does not stagnate in the farms is the only way to prevent the spread of the disease. Fogging only kills the mosquitoes but does not stop their breeding. As workers in cultivation are not fully covered, mosquitoes bite them easily. Workers are suggested to cover their bodies entirely while working, apply mosquito repellent creams to their hands, legs and bodies. The disease can be controlled by the health department when people cooperate with the department," she said.

How dengue spreads

The aedes mosquitoes that spread dengue lay eggs in clean water inside or outside the house. All the spawns that come out breaking the eggs also are mosquitoes. A mosquito bites between ten to fourteen people. Therefore, the epidemic spreads soon in the environment. Blood should be tested in local health centers after finding the symptoms and suitable treatment should be taken.

Symptoms and treatment

Severe pain in the head, shivering and fever, pain in muscles.

There is no specific treatment for dengue. Treatment will be given according to the symptoms. Suitable treatment should be taken in super specialty hospital after getting admitted, if the symptoms are severe or if there are indications of bleeding.

How dengue can be prevented

One should keep surroundings of house and shops clean making sure that water does not stagnate on terraces or in vegetation. Tanks, sintex, drums, barrels and vessels should be kept closed. The water in them should be emptied at least once in a week, and should be filled with water again only after scrubbing, cleaning and drying them. The container behind fridges where water gets collected should be cleaned once in a week. Water should be poured in unused toilets once in a day. Sand should be filled in plates under flower pots, grinding stones if any outside the house or items where water is likely to get collected. Care should be taken to ensure that the vicinity of the house is free of garbage. Coconut shells should be broken into four bits and dried. Old vessels, plastic items, bottles etc should be set aside and disposed off. Tyres should be kept in places where rain water does not fall. Suitable arrangement should be made for flow of drainage water.

Fixing mosquito nets for windows, closing windows in the evening and using mosquito repellents will go a long way in protecting from oneself from mosquito bites.

"Workshops to create awareness about dengue and malaria are being conducted. Additional programmes are held through health assistant and Asha activists in affected areas. Handbills are being distributed besides fogging. Details are being collected from private hospitals on a daily basis," said Dr Deepa Prabhu Bantwal taluk health officer.