New Delhi: Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has urged states and municipalities to increase their efforts to manage and prevent dengue outbreaks. In a statement from the health ministry, Chandra stressed the importance of pinpointing outbreak hotspots, boosting vector monitoring, and using geotagging for effective prevention.
Chandra’s remarks came during a high-level inter-ministerial meeting, conducted both in-person and virtually, to review the dengue situation in nine high-burden states and evaluate public health readiness. The meeting involved officials from Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, along with 18 municipal corporations including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
With the monsoon season approaching, Chandra highlighted the need for preemptive action, noting that dengue cases usually peak from August to November. He reported that, as of July 31, this year’s cases have already surged by nearly 50% compared to the same period last year, emphasizing the need for states to prepare for a potential increase in cases.
Chandra praised the reduction in the Dengue Case Fatality Rate from 3.3% in 1996 to 0.17% in 2023, attributing it to effective and collaborative efforts. He also highlighted the need to ensure the availability of platelets and hospital resources for managing patients.
The health secretary called for better coordination between the health ministry and the housing and urban affairs ministry to create a joint action plan. He also stressed the importance of cleanliness campaigns during the peak dengue season to control mosquito breeding sites and prevent waterlogging.
Updates on current initiatives, such as the ‘Safai Apnao, Beemari Bhagao Campaign’ and the Swachh Bharat portal, were provided by S P Singh, additional secretary of the urban affairs ministry. These efforts focus on eliminating stagnant water and preventing waterlogging.
The Union Health Ministry has pledged support to the states in their dengue management efforts and encouraged them to submit proposals for additional aid.
What is Dengue?
Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti. The disease is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding. Severe cases can develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which can be life-threatening. There is no specific treatment for dengue, but supportive care can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Prevention focuses on controlling mosquito populations and avoiding mosquito bites.
“Prevention is better than cure”
Thank you for your enlightenment sir.
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Dengue became a deadly disease, one must drink lots of water regularly, keep yourself hydrated and stay away from unhygienic places.
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Good information, personally I overthink I affected by dengue when mosquito bites me during day time 😂
many of you will cry if you get dengue, so please take care and do not go to jungle .