Effective case management, early detection, source reduction of mosquitoes and creation of awareness among community are essential to control dengue fever, said Assistant Director of Medical Services P. Anandan.
Addressing a health review meeting here on Tuesday, he said effective case management including administration of proper and right quantity of medicines will save patients.
“The dengue shock syndrome stage is very critical. Signs of plasma leakage, rapid and weak pulse showing circulatory failure, narrow pulse pressure are its symptoms. Patients should be kept under constant observation, failing which patients will die,”he said.
He advised the medical staff to strictly follow guidelines to identify dengue cases.
Effective monitoring in the dengue-affected areas in Rajapalayam revealed that improper treatment provided to dengue cases by unqualified doctors led to several deaths.
Cases of dengue and dengue haemorrhage should be observed on an hourly basis and patients should be protected from dehydration. Heavy dose of medicine will complicate functioning of other parts of the body, he said.
Joint Director of Health Services M. Ravikala advised against using steroids and antibiotics. Patients should be observed even after the fever subsides, she added.
Deputy Director of Health Services Varadarajan said source reduction was a must to control dengue.
Thorough checking of houses including backyards and eliminating all possible breeding sources in each house was essential. Field staff should maintain close relationship with the community to get full support. High risk zones and larvae density areas should be monitored meticulously.
Collector T. N. Hariharan advised the public not to consult unqualified doctors or buy medicines directly from medical shops without consulting doctors.
The PHCs were fully equipped to test blood. Movement of pigs could be informed on the toll free number 104. He also appealed to the people not to store water in containers, as pure water was the prime breeding place for mosquitoes spreading dengue.
