The Dengue and Chikungunya cases are rising in many major metropolises in the nation. The IT hub Pune has also acquired the dubious distinction of recording about 92% of the state’s Chikungunya cases and also has the second highest number of Dengue cases in Maharashtra.
The vector which transmits both Dengue and Chikungunya is the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. There has been a sharp increase in dengue cases which has almost doubled this year. There have been a 13 fold increase cases of Chikungunya as compared to the same period last year.
Lax PMC to be blamed
Meanwhile, the concerned authorities are busy passing the buck to the State health officials blaming the city Municipality for the spiraling cases of both the vector-borne diseases. The health officials are washing their hand off the issue by claiming that the Corporation had been instructed to initiate entomological surveillance before the monsoon, but the officials were lax in their duties.
The National Capital also sees a surge in chikungunya cases, and 1057 cases have been reported since January. No cure is available for the disease yet, and supportive treatment is resorted till the virus dies out. Most of the fatalities occur in the geriatric age groups or patients who are suffering from other ailments along with Dengue or Chikungunya.
Prevention is the best cure for both the diseases. The disease is spread by mosquito, Aedes aegypti that carries the virus and can be identified as it is slightly bigger than an average mosquito and has prominent white markings on its legs and body.
Prevention is the best defense
The vector thrives in places where there is stagnant water like in flower vases, water coolers, unused tires, barrels. Therefore the best remedy is to remove all instances of stagnant water. Use of mosquito repellent sprays is also practical.
The monsoon is in its retreating phase, and so are a host of woes. Environmental management, chemical control, and biological control is the most efficient way to control vectors as has been shown by Singapore which in the 1960’s had the world’s highest rate of dengue infections.