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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : March 12, 2014 10:13 AM IST
Aiming at early prevention of dengue, a nationwide awareness campaign about the deadly disease was today launched here that includes a dedicated round-the-clock multi-lingual helpline. The two-month long campaign 'U & Me Against Dengue', a public-private partnership is spread over six major cities including Delhi, and will target school children and adults alike to effective dissemination of information.
Global health major Reckett Benckiser has partnered with North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), All India institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Indian Medical Association (IMA) and NGOs like Rotary to raise awareness months before the actual dengue season sets in. NDMC, which is the on ground partner for the campaign will help carry out fumigation drives in concerned school in the municipal areas.
The campaign which will be rolled out in phases in five other cities -- Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune and Ahmedabadalso has a dedicated website and a presence on social media. 'As part of the campaign we will have a school outreach programme targeting over 65,000 students across more than 130 schools. The NDMC will help us with the fumigation drives and identifying municipal schools. Our aim is to sensitise citizens way before the vector-borne disease breaks in during its season,' Reckitt Benckiser India, General Manager Nitish Kapoor said.
The organisers said apart from a dedicated website a 24x7 helpline has been set up to entertain all queries concerning the disease that affects many lives year after year. 'The toll-free dengue helpline (1800-200-0801) is operative as we speak. It is available in four languages English, Hindi, Bengali and Kannada,' Kapoor said. NDMC Mayor Azad Singh said, 'Early rain in the capital means we should be alert beforehand. And, this campaign will help build the right groundwork before we hit the dengue season civic campaign.' (Read: Can papaya leaves help cure dengue?)
'The campaign aims at creating a healthy environment for people before the dengue season sets in, so that citizens are well-equipped to handle any situation. Also, we will be undertaking huge cleanliness drives in schools and neighbourhoods to create a healthy atmosphere,' Vice- President, Reckitt Benckiser South East Asia Chander Mohan Sethi said at the launch. (Read: 'Dengue fever symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache and pain behind the eyes')
Last year, 5,574 cases of dengue were reported from Delhi and the disease, spread by female Aedes mosquito claimed six lives, as per the official tally provided by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. North Delhi had reported maximum number of cases with the disease peaking in October-November . The capital had witnessed a large number of dengue cases in the 2010 with over 6,000 cases being reported. In 2008, over 1,300 cases were registered, 1,153 in 2009, over 1,100 cases in 2011 and 2,093 in 2012.
While AIIMS and IMA serve as knowledge partners, Rotary Blood Bank is the blood donation partner.
What is dengue?
Dengue refers to a tropical disease caused by four different types of virus. It is usually transmitted by mosquitoes and the common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains and skin rash. There is no vaccine for dengue and the only way to reduce infections is to improve hygiene levels so as to prevent mosquito-bites and prevent mosquitoes from breeding. It's particularly difficult to create a vaccine because it's caused by different viruses and there are no animal models available for testing. The disease kills over five thousand Indians every year and is a seasonal threat, particularly during the monsoon seasons. (Read: Dengue fever: Symptoms, medication and prevention)
What is dengue?
It is a tropical disease, usually transmitted by mosquitoes and the common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains and skin rash. There is no vaccine for dengue and the only way to reduce infections is to improve hygiene levels so as to prevent mosquito-bites and prevent mosquitoes from breeding. It's particularly difficult to create a vaccine because it's caused by different viruses and there are no animal models available for testing. The disease kills over five thousand Indians every year and is a seasonal threat, particularly during the monsoon seasons.
What are the symptoms of dengue?
Characterized by severe flu-like symptoms, dengue affects infants, children and adults alike and could be fatal. The clinical manifestations of dengue vary with the age of the patient. A person suffering from high fever in the range of 40 C/ 104 F, accompanied by any two of the following symptoms could be suffering from dengue:
Symptoms usually last for 2-7 days. Dengue could progress to severe dengue, a potentially fatal complication, causing leaking of plasma, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding and organ impairment.
The warning signs to look out for occur 3-7 days after the first symptoms along with a decrease in temperature are:
The next 24-48 hours of the critical stage can be lethal; proper medical care is needed to avoid complications and risk of death.
Prevention
Dengue is a communicable diseases spread by mosquitoes from one human to another. So, the only way it can really be prevented is by avoiding mosquito bites. One can make sure all egg-laying habitats of mosquitoes like open and stagnant water source are cleaned up. If there are any open water sources you cannot eliminate, cover them and apply appropriate insecticides. Use protection such as window screens, long-sleeved clothes, and insecticide treated materials, coils and vaporizers.
With inputs from PTI
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