The health authorities may not admit it but cases of dengue continue to be reported from Hyderabad and elsewhere in Telangana. With there being little effort to share information on suspected cases of dengue between authorities and private hospitals in the capital, senior doctors here believe the numbers could be more than what is being ‘officially’ projected.
Official figures say 62 suspected cases of dengue were reported from Hyderabad this year, of which, authorities say, only four tested positive at the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM). The situation is however different in the rest of the State, with officials confirming 350 cases that tested positive. Adilabad had the highest number with 127 positive dengue cases.
Senior doctors say there is a need to concentrate more on preventive aspects and ensure that private hospitals report suspected cases on a regular basis. Physicians lament that dengue occurs in spite of the fact that people are aware that the disease spikes at a particular time of the year and is preventable.
The Asian tiger mosquito ( Aedes albopictus ) is the primary vector that causes dengue in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts. Named after the white-and-black stripes on its body, the mosquito has lived up to its billing of being aggressive, as entomologists here note that over the years dengue has become endemic, and the mosquito itself poses a clear danger to public safety.
“The fight against the Aedes mosquito should be throughout the year and not [limited to] just [a] few months. The mosquito itself is very aggressive in nature and unlike other mosquitoes, this one bites all day. It’s breeding is prolific and is a known vector for Chikungunya,” says Associate Professor of Zoology at Osmania University B. Reddya Naik.
Doctors say basic precautions are enough to ward off attacks.
“It is preventable, but nobody bothers to take precautionary steps. Rather than undergoing the painful treatment, it’s better to take preventive measures,” says former Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital B. Balraju.
District officials maintain that the worst is over.
“In another fortnight, we can expect a fall in cases. Private hospitals are simply declaring dengue cases positive if the blood platelet count of patients drop. Unless IPM confirms it, we can’t confirm a dengue case. Public should observe dry day at least once a week,” says Hyderabad DM&HO P. Venkateswar Rao.
