Dengue not a cause for concern, yet

Telangana has logged 3,109 cases this year so far

A drone spraying anti-larval oil over the Shah Hatim Talab, popularly known as Shatam Lake, in Hyderabad on World Mosquito Day on Saturday. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has deployed 15 drones for the special drive. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

Incessant rain spells over the past two months not only brought flooding woes, but also led to concerns of an uptick in seasonal ailments. Doctors had anticipated a spike in mosquito-borne diseases, but to their surprise, the number of dengue cases this year so far is comparatively low.

Telangana has recorded 3,109 dengue cases between January 1 and August 15 this year. Of those, the maximum number of cases were from the urban districts — 1,470 from Hyderabad, followed by 322 in Rangareddy and 165 in Medchal-Malkajgiri. Khammam has recorded 126 cases. Not a single dengue-related death has been reported this year.

Going by statistics for the last five years, the highest of 13,361 dengue cases were recorded in 2019.

Malaria, chikungunya

The State has also recorded 378 malaria cases with the highest of 178 from Bhadradri Kothagudem, 68 in Mulugu, and 48 in Asifabad.

A total of 44 chikungunya cases have been registered so far.

A series of health meetings were held before and during the monsoon where precautionary measures were charted out to check vector-borne diseases.

As it rained for the most part of July and beginning of August, there were apprehensions of mosquito-borne diseases shooting up.

The Health department launched special drives and implemented steps to ensure a clean and hygienic environment in and around residential areas, so as to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.

Govt.’s efforts

Sundays and Fridays were marked for clearing stagnant water such as plates placed under flower pots, broken vessels or bottles, and old, worn-out tyres in their surroundings.

Consultant physician Tudi Pavan Reddy lauded the government’s initiative of encouraging citizens to devote 10 minutes on Sundays to clearing stagnant water in and around their homes.

“Public awareness on vector-borne diseases and seasonal ailments helps in cutting down the spread. Awareness levels have certainly increased. People must continue to remain alert to prevent breeding of mosquitoes and protect themselves from diseases,” he added.

Senior consultant physician at KIMS Hospitals K. Shivaraju said, “Waterlogging must be dealt with to avoid vector-borne diseases. Since many people have plants at home, they have to ensure that water is stagnant in the flower pots and the plates under it. Focus has to be on localities wherever density of the cases is high, or one that is prone to waterlogging. Wear full-sleeve clothes and put mosquito nets on windows.“