Dengue hits Delhi: Useful tips to prevent vector-borne disease

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

The national capital of Delhi has been witnessing a steep rise in dengue fever amid fear of a possible outbreak even as the total number of cases from the vector-borne disease shot to an alarming 277 in past few weeks.

During the past two weeks of August alone, more than 220 cases have been reported. So far, two people have become victims this year.

It is said that the number of cases reported so far in 2015 is the highest in the last five years. A total of 46, 10, 54 and 26 cases of dengue were reported in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Dengue is mostly common during the rainy season because it provides a better habitat for the vector, the mosquito to breed.

Dengue fever is a painful mosquito-borne disease. It is caused by any one of four types of dengue virus, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Common symptoms of dengue include high fever, runny nose, a mild skin rash, cough, pain behind the eyes and in the joints. However, some kids may develop a red and white patchy skin rash followed by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, etc.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), patients should seek medical advice, rest and drink plenty of fluids. Paracetamol can be taken to bring down fever and reduce joint pains. However, aspirin or ibuprofen should not be taken since they can increase the risk of bleeding.

Below are a few tips to prevent dengue:

As there is no specific medicine to treat dengue, the best way to keep the disease away is to prevent bites by infected mosquitoes.

• Keep the surroundings clean
• Use mosquitoes repellents even when indoors
• Wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts, particularly at dusk
• Use air conditioning while sleeping to keep mosquitoes out at night
• If air conditioning is not available, use a mosquito nets while sleeping
• Avoid going out during dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are active
• Try to stay away from heavily populated residential areas