Odisha dengue update: 3,490 cases since June

Written By: Admin | Published : September 15, 2013 12:29 AM IST

Dengue cases in Odisha rose to 3,490 in Odisha since June after 77 more people tested positive on Thursday for the mosquito borne virus, an official here said Friday.

Among the latest cases, the districts of Jajpur and Khordha reported a highest of 16 cases each, followed by Angul and Cuttack which reported 14 and 12 cases respectively, an official of the state health control room told IANS.

It shows no signs of abetting with government hospitals in many parts of the state receiving scores of patients every day.

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As many as 153 and 32 patients are undergoing treatment at Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack, about 25 km from here, and Capital Hospital at Bhubaneswar, respectively. Many of them were hospitalized this week.

The mosquito-borne disease which has spread to 26 of the state's 30 districts has so far left five people dead. All the deaths occurred last month.

Three deaths were reported from the industrial district of Angul, coastal Kendrapada and Bhadrak district reported one death each, he said.

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.
Always sleep under a mosquito net.
If you use a cooler remember to empty out and clean the water tray regularly, even when not in use.
Always cover your trash can when not in use.
A natural method to keep mosquitos at bay is to planttulsinear your window. The plant has properties that do not allow mosquitoes to breed.
Using camphor as a repellant 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.

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

Source: IANS

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