Seven More Die of Dengue as Warnings Renew Over Mosquito-Borne Disease Risk
Seven more people have died after contracting dengue in the country. News of fresh deaths from the mosquito-borne disease has brought concern over the dengue situation back to the fore. Those concerned are stressing that anyone who develops a fever should seek medical advice quickly rather than neglecting it.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease, usually spread by the bite of the Aedes mosquito. During and after the monsoon, Aedes breeding increases in places where water collects, so the risk of infection is also higher at this time of year.
The news of seven more deaths comes at a time when hospitals and families have to cope with added pressure from dengue outbreaks in a particular season every year. For many people the illness begins like an ordinary fever, but in some cases it can quickly become complicated.
Doctors have repeatedly said that the most dangerous thing in dengue is going to hospital late. If symptoms such as fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, body aches or vomiting appear, it is important to get tested rather than taking medicine on one's own.
The period after the fever subsides is identified as a time to stay especially alert, because in many cases a patient's condition can suddenly worsen at this stage. Severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, breathing difficulty or any sign of bleeding should prompt an immediate trip to hospital without a moment's delay, doctors advise.
Children, older people and those who already have other illnesses are considered to face a comparatively higher risk from dengue. If anyone in the family develops a fever, they should be watched closely and given plenty of fluids, health officials advise.
Alongside personal caution, keeping the surroundings of the home clean is considered the most effective way to prevent dengue. Stagnant water in flowerpots, discarded containers, tyres or anywhere else can become a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes, so collected water should be emptied regularly.
Because Aedes mosquitoes also bite during the day, health officials advise using mosquito nets while sleeping, wearing clothes that cover the body and taking measures to repel mosquitoes. The same caution is needed at workplaces and educational institutions as well as at home.
The news of seven more deaths is a reminder that dengue cannot be taken lightly as just a seasonal fever. Timely testing, treatment according to a doctor's advice and preventing mosquito breeding are the three main ways to reduce fatalities.
Families are urged not to wait with a 'let us watch it for two days' attitude when fever strikes, but to get a blood test quickly and follow medical guidance. With dengue, awareness rather than panic is the greatest protection — a message underlined once again by the latest deaths.
