Standing committee shows concern over rising dengue and malaria cases

The NMMC administration found itself in a spot when the standing committee members grilled them in the wake of increasing mosquito menace in the satellite city. They believe that the officials have failed to carry out their duties effectively, causing Navi Mumbaikars to contract diseases like dengue and malaria, in large numbers.

NCP corporator Raju Shinde, who raised the issue, inquired as to why the number of people getting affected by these diseases was increasing, despite the health department officials stating that they were taking necessary precautions in this regard. 'The health department recently said it has started fogging the municipal areas in the evenings too, which will put an additional burden of Rs 70 lakh on the civic coffers. But despite this, the cases are increasing by the day and I want to know whether the health officials changing the chemical used for fogging regularly. If not, then they should be given clear instructions to do so since maintaining the health of every Navi Mumbaikar should be of prime concern for the administration,' Shinde said. (Read: 'Dengue fever symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache and pain behind the eyes')

He added that the first referral unit (FRU) at NMMC hospital in Vashi is facing a severe staff crunch, since the number of beds at the facility are 300, while the number of patients there are 450. 'To attend to these patients, who are mainly suffering from mosquito-borne diseases, there is no adequate staff and the civic administration should appoint additional staff at the facility, so as to not burden the existing staff. Also, there is a shortage of medical equipment at the facility, which is despite the general body as well as standing committee passing the resolutions to purchase adequate equipment for the same. The residents of the city are being taken for granted by not delivering what has been promised to them,' Shinde said.

Echoing similar feelings, his party colleague Vaibhav Gaikwad asked as to what is the schedule of the malaria officers appointed by the NMMC. He stressed on the need for a proper surveillance system to ensure that they perform their duties properly. While Congress corporator Santosh Shetty demanded that fogging should be done after 6pm and not 9pm, as is being currently done. Sena's Vijayanand Mane blamed the officials for the sorry state of affairs in the health department.

In his reply to the discussion, deputy municipal commissioner, JN Sinnarkar, agreed to the fact that dengue and malaria cases are increasing in the city. 'Regular meetings are being held between the municipal commissioner and the health department officials and there will be no compromise as far as health of the people is concerned. The health department will be carrying out fogging between 6pm and 9pm, while the residents will be taken into confidence so that the cases are arrested. As far as recruiting additional staff at the Vashi FRU is concerned, it will be done at the earliest,' Sinnarkar added.

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.

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. (Read: Prevent dengue with these 10 practical tips)

What is malaria?

Malaria is an infectious disease that is caused by plasmodium parasite which infects the red blood cells and is characterized by fever, body ache, chills and sweating. Similar disease has also been described in the holy Vedas. It derives its name from mal aria which means 'bad air' in Italian. Of the four species that cause malaria (plasmodium vivax, plasmodium falciparum, plasmodium ovale, plasmodium malariae) plasmodium falciparum is the most serious and can cause serious complications. An individual can be infected with two species at the same time.

How does one get malaria?

The life cycle of malaria is complicated and it involves two hosts- the human being and the mosquito. Once bitten by a female anopheles mosquito, the malarial parasite enters the blood stream. It travels all through his blood stream to reach the liver. In the liver the parasite matures and multiplies. Some of the parasites stay there whereas the other parasites move out from the liver attacking red blood cells. The parasite then multiplies in the red blood cells. In the next 48-72 hours, more parasites are released into the blood. This is the reason why the chills of malaria are generally seen after 48 to 72 hours corresponding to the release of the malarial parasite in the blood.

What are the symptoms of malaria?

After been bitten by an infected mosquito, the disease takes around 14 days to manifest. Common symptoms are fever, chills, vomiting, nausea, body ache, headache, cough and diarrhoea. The cycle of fever and chills usually repeats after 48 hours (this corresponds to the release of parasite from the blood cell). After a few cycles of fever the person also develops anaemia due to breakdown of red blood cells. The spleen which is an organ situated beneath the rib cage on the left side enlarges and is felt in the stomach. Read more

With inputs from DNA