Dengue Outbreak: 6 Effective Tips to Avoid Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a viral infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The main vector for this disease is Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Ae. albopictus. 

The virus that causes dengue fever is called dengue virus (DENV). There are four serotypes of DENV, and you can be infected four times.

There is no specific treatment for dengue/severe dengue. Early detection of severe dengue-related disease progression and access to appropriate medical care can reduce severe dengue mortality to less than 1%.

Dengue fever is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical climates, mainly in urban and semi-urban areas.

India has recorded 63,280 cases of dengue as of 30 September 2022. About 20,000 more cases were added in October, according to media reports.

Delhi recorded its first death from dengue fever on 2 November. Ward officer of Sarita Vihar Police Station, Rajneesh Sharma, died of an infection after being hospitalized for five days.

The number of cases in the capital exceeded 2,100 on 26 October 2022, the Delhi Municipal Corporation announced on 31 October 2022. In October, he surpassed 1,200, the highest number in five years.

West Bengal recorded its worst dengue outbreak in five years, with cases topping 42,000 by the end of October 2022. Kolkata, North 24-Parganas, Murshidabad, Jalpaiguri, Howrah and Hooghly are among districts that are most affected.

Cause:

Dengue fever is caused by one of four dengue viruses. When bitten by a dengue-infected mosquito, the virus enters the bloodstream and can make copies of itself. The virus itself and the immune system's response can make you feel sick.

The viruses can destroy parts of the blood that form clots and give structure to blood vessels. This, along with certain chemicals produced by the immune system, can cause blood to leak out of blood vessels and cause internal bleeding. This leads to life-threatening symptoms of severe dengue fever.

Symptoms of dengue fever?

Most dengue infections cause no symptoms. If you have symptoms, a high fever (40°C/104°F) is the typical symptom and can include:

• Rash
• Severe pain behind the eye.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Pain in muscles, bones and joints.
• Dengue symptoms appear 4 to 10 days after the mosquito bite and can last 3 to 7 days. About 1 in 20 people with dengue develop severe dengue after the initial symptoms subside.
• Severe dengue fever is a life-threatening exacerbation of dengue fever. Severe dengue symptoms are usually seen 24 to 48 hours after the fever subsides.
• Severe dengue fever is a fatal medical emergency. If you have dengue fever or live in an area where dengue is endemic, go to the nearest emergency clinic immediately if you see any of the following symptoms:

1. Stomach/abdominal pain.
2. Frequent vomiting.
3. Hematemesis or blood in the feces (stool).
4. Nosebleeds or bleeding gums.
5. Extreme fatigue, restlessness, or irritability.

Dengue Diagnosis:

Dengue is diagnosed with a blood test. Your healthcare provider will take a blood sample from your vein and send it to a lab to look for signs of dengue.This can also identify which of the four versions you have. Doctors can use blood tests to look for other viruses that cause similar symptoms.

There is no medicine to cure dengue fever. Your doctor will give you advice on how to manage your symptoms and whether and when you should go to the emergency room.

Prevention

The best way to reduce the risk of dengue fever is to avoid mosquito bites.

• Cover exposed skin outdoors, especially at night when mosquitoes are likely to be nearby.
• Remove stagnant water (buckets, barrels, bird baths, old tires that can collect rainwater) and fill low spots where water can collect.
• Keep mosquitoes out of your home by fixing holes in screens and keeping windows and doors closed whenever possible.
• Use mosquito nets at night in areas where dengue is endemic.
• If you are pregnant, avoid traveling to areas where dengue is endemic.
• When traveling, check with the CDC to find out if there is an outbreak in your destination before you leave.

Dengue Vaccine

Dengue Vaccine (Dengvaxia™) is recommended only if you have had dengue before. Infection with another version of the dengue virus in the future may reduce the risk of severe dengue fever (dengue hemorrhagic fever). Vaccination is not recommended if you have never had dengue fever.

 

Apply mosquito repellent before going out. In order to improve public health in the city; educational institutions should hold regular public health awareness training and seminars. People should be educated about the causes and symptoms of dengue fever.