Mumbai Dengue Update: 3rd death in a month

Written By: Admin | Updated : September 12, 2013 10:43 AM IST

Chhaya Naik, a 47-year-old resident of Goregaon s Mitha Nagar died due to dengue on Tuesday. This is the third dengue death in a month for the city and a total of 185 dengue cases have been reported since June.

Naik was admitted on Sunday with high fever, severe bodyache and a critically low platelet count. Doctors from Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri said that Naik died of a dengue shock syndrome and multi-organ dysfunction.

Around 50-odd cases of dengue have been suspected in the Shastri Nagar area of Goregaon. The civic body though upon inspection said only seven cases could be detected in the area and breeding sites were found in 5 of these houses. In total, the civic team found as many as 12 breeding sites in the area.

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'There are only seven dengue cases from the area, of which only one has come positive in the confirmatory test.', said Manisha Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner. 'All (breeding) sites were in houses. Citizens are unaware about what aids breeding of mosquitoes. Flower pots, petri dishes and feng shui plants were common spots,' she added.

What is dengue?

Dengue fever is a communicable disease and its symptoms include high fever for four to five days, usually accompanied by severe headache, pain in eyes, muscles and joints besides rashes. After the fever goes away, blood platelet count starts dipping. This is the most dangerous phase of the disease.

How to prevent dengue?

Here are a few simple and practical tips to keep dengue at bay:

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are known to bite humans during the day and their most common breeding grounds are manmade containers. Therefore, it is advisable to not have any stagnant water around. Remember to clean out empty flower pots and not to over water potted plants. If the container that contains water cannot be emptied, remember to cover it well when not in use.
A natural method to keep mosquitos at bay is to plant tulsi near your window. The plant has properties that do not allow mosquitoes to breed.
Using camphor as a repellent also works wonders. Light camphor in a room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about fifteen to twenty minutes to have a mosquito free environment.
Make sure your window and door screens do not have any holes. If so, block those areas properly to eliminate mosquitoes.
If someone at home is ill with dengue, try to not let the mosquitoes bite them or others in the house. (Read more: Prevent dengue with these 10 practical tips)

Dengue is a completely preventable condition; all you have to do is take a few steps to keep yourself and your family safe.

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