Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Published : October 30, 2014 6:44 PM IST
The number of cases of dengue went up in the month of September, where a few areas reported about 40 hospital admissions in a week. Now that the monsoons are gone, it was expected that the cases of dengue would decline. However, a weekly report released by BMC shows otherwise. Here are some reasons the number of cases of dengue are rising in the city.
Change in weather: The Aedes aegypti mosquitoe that are responsible to spread dengue require a humid weather to flourish. Temperature between 18 and 40 degree is conducive for them to breed, which is why we are not likely to see a decline in cases until the temperature drops a bit. According to BMC officials, the trend will continue till mid-November.
Lack of cleanliness: More than seasonal changes, the problem has become bigger this time due to the lack of sanitation. Open drainage system, untamed potted plants, construction sites with water pools are breeding ground for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmit the virus. Now is when the swachh bharat abhiyanmight help.
BMC's negligence: After the death of one of KEM's resident doctors, a panel of municipal corporators pointed out the negligence of BMC with regards to the matter. According to one of the members, the BMC definitely conducts drives to tackle dengue complaints during the monsoon season. But they don't continue the cleanliness drives and fumigation and once monsoon is over.
Here are some ways to keep mosquitoes away
Neem oil:Neem has a number of great benefits for the human body, but apart from being an elixir for your health, neem is also a great mosquito-repellent. A study published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association {1} found that mixing neem oil with coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio is a really effective way to keep mosquitoes at bay. Being a potent antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and anti-protozoal agent, neem lends your skin a particular smell that wards off mosquitoes. To make an effective insecticide mix neem oil and coconut oil in equal portions and rub it on your body (all exposed parts). This will protect you from mosquito bites for at least eight hours.
Eucalyptus and lemon oil: Recommended by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) as an effective insect-repellent the mixture of lemon oil and eucalyptus oil is extremely effective in repelling mosquitoes naturally. The way lemon oil and eucalyptus oil works is due to its active component cineole, which has both antiseptic and insect-repellent properties when applied to the skin. The best part about this mixture is that it is natural and does not come with all the ill effects of chemical mosquito repellents. To use this mixture, mix lemon oil and eucalyptus oil in equal proportions and use it on your body.
Camphor: Using camphor as a repellent also works wonders. Made from the extract of a tree, this compound has been found to have the longest mosquito repellent activity when compared to other natural products. {2}Light camphor in a room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about fifteen to twenty minutes and go back to a mosquito free environment.
Photo source: Getty images
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.
