PMC alert as dengue claims three
Sakaal Times: The Pune Municipal Corporation on Tuesday said it had recorded three deaths due to dengue in the city, even as it put its entire health machinery on alert in an attempt to prevent any further spread of the dreaded diseases which has now taken as many as 48 people in its grip.
At least 25 patients suffering from dengue have been admitted to KEM Hospital, four of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
PMC health department head Dr R R Pardeshi, however, said a number of these patients had come down from outside Pune.
Two of these deaths were reported in September and one in October. All the three deaths have been in nearby houses in Sahakarnagar.
The names of the three were given as Vikas More, Sanjay Kadam and Nanda Sharma.
However, positive cases are pouring in from Vadgaon Sheri, Bhavani Peth, Rasta Peth, Karve Road and Kothrud.
Though the first of the positive cases this year was reported as early as March, the disease has suddenly shown signs of rapid spread. The number of suspected cases in October so far, has been put at 32, double what were recorded in last month. The number of suspect dengue cases is on the rise every month since March, when the first cases were reported.
The PMC has served notices to a number of builders and developers, who tend to keep large water storage tanks at construction sites, creating conditions conducive for mosquito growth. Areas with scrap godowns and unattended swimming pools in housing societies were most vulnerable to the diseases, Dr Pardeshi said.
However, the only way to kill such mosquitoes is to get the area chemically fogged via PMC. “There is no other over the counter drug that people can buy from market and spray in their house,’’ Pardeshi said.
COUNTERING DENGUE
- Fresh water storage areas are the most common breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti species of mosquitoes which spread dengue. They have white stripes on their legs. Air conditioners, coolers, small empty containers of food, terraces, money plants grown in bottles, bottom surfaces of flower vases, tyres and tubes which collect water are sources of the mosquito.
- These mosquitoes, unlike those which cause malaria, bite only during daytime and result in a rash around the areas of skin where they attack. The incubation period for the disease is seven days.
- Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe bodyache and itching are the common symptoms. As such, fogging is effective when done not just in the house of the affected patient, but at least 250 to 300 other houses surrounding it.
FOLLOW THESE DOS AND DON’TS
Dos to tackle dengue
- Maintain cleanliness, hygiene and dry vicinity.
- Use mosquito nets and repellents while sleeping or put screens on windows and doorways.
- Immediately visit a doctor in case of fever with headache, bodyache, joint pains and rash.
- Avoid mosquito bites
- Wash your hands with soap before eating and after using bathroom
Don’t
- Allow water to accumulate in discarded tins, empty bottles, water coolers, coconut shells, plastic containers, unused tyres etc
More articles by The Desk
- Website to promote child rights launched - March 19th, 2010
- City nightlife is entangled in many restrictions - March 19th, 2010
- Ford India launches 'Figo' in the city - March 19th, 2010
- Opus - one of Pune’s live-band restaurants, is closing down - March 19th, 2010
- Pune is a premier business hub, finds study by UKBIC - March 19th, 2010
