Dengue cases in India rise, Health Ministry issues advisory

Dengue cases have been increasing at a rapid rate in several states in India. Most of these cases have been reported in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Maharashtra, where the health authorities have seen a rapid rise in the number of dengue cases. Not only has the significant rise in these cases concerned familial concerns, but it has also increased political tensions.

The Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya held a high-level meeting to review the dengue situation in India and review the preparedness of the public health system to prevent and control the surge.

Health Minister reviews situation in India as dengue cases increase

In the light of the current situation, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a high-level meeting on Wednesday to examine the dengue situation in India. He asked people to improve dengue prevention, containment, and management strategies to improve the situation. Mandaviya emphasised that the Union Government has given the states all essential assistance for screening kits as well as financial assistance for fogging and information, education and communication initiatives. He urged the states to follow protocol to prevent and contain the spread of the disease.

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As per the Ministry, the Union Health Minister also highlighted that adequate funds have been provided by the Central government to the States to successfully implement under Program Implementation Plan (PIP) for the following activities to prevent and control Dengue:

• Surveillance of the disease
• Management of cases to avoid complications like deaths
• Availability of ELISA-based NS1 antigen test kit for early diagnosis of the cases.
• Procurement of insecticides.
• Taking appropriate measures to control and manage vector-borne diseases.
• Procurement of fogging machines to prevent infections.
• Training of human resources and operational research.
• Social mobilisation and IEC.
• Improving inter-sectoral coordination.
• Proper monitoring and supervision of reports, field visits, and feedback.

Current situation in India

According to media reports, West Bengal is the worst-hit state in India, with Kolkata and North 24 Parganas witnessing the highest surge. Over the past three months, the state has experienced more than 10 recorded deaths and thousands infected. Mumbai has also witnessed an upsurge in dengue cases, with more than 3,000 cases reported this month. Jharkhand is also seeing a rise in dengue cases.

New Delhi, on the other hand, has reported over 3,000 cases thus far, along with more than 200 cases of malaria and a few cases of Chikungunya. The state has reported only one dengue death so far. Several other states have noticed an upsurge in these cases.

What is dengue and what are the symptoms of dengue?

Dengue is a viral infection, also known as break-bone fever, that spreads from mosquitoes to humans, as per the World Health Organisation. It is most commonly spread in tropical and subtropical climates. For some people affected with dengue, symptoms may not show immediately. However, for those who do, some of the most common symptoms of dengue include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Body ache
• Nausea
• Rash

People who get infected with dengue usually feel better in one or two weeks, unless they have been affected with severe dengue and need care in the hospital. If you think your condition is not getting better at home and your symptoms get worse, consult a doctor to avoid complications.