Chennai: Tamil Nadu, which stood second in 2014 and third in 2015 in the number of dengue cases reported, has seen a decline since. Health and corporation officials state that awareness has been on the rise.
A September 2015 report stated that 2,343 cases were recorded until then, making Tamil Nadu the state with the third-highest number of dengue cases in the country. The report also added that the number of deaths recorded was five.
Despite the state seeing such large numbers, it was found that the number of cases over the last few years has been rapidly falling.
“We have intensified our breeding control measures since last year. We now have domestic breeding checkers who visit homes to clear any potential breeding sites such as unused containers and old tyres. We are trying our best to educate residents on getting rid of breeding sites,” said Dr Kolandaisamy, Director of Public Health.
“It is true that the number of cases has reduced and the response is much better as compared to the previous years. We are trying to create as much awareness as possible,” he said. He also pointed out that Tamil Nadu has over 60 labs, higher than other states. The outbreak of the disease occurs primarily in areas where the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are found in large numbers, which includes urban areas as well as rural areas. Migratory workers, who become infected while visiting other endemic areas, where dengue commonly exists, may introduce dengue viruses into certain areas.
“Dengue cases peak during rains. However, during the previous monsoons, our hospital had three cases of children suffering from dengue in three months,” said Dr Naresh Shanmugam, Senior Consultant, Department of Pediatrics, Global Hospital.
“During the December 2015 floods, we were expecting a large number of cases at all hospitals. However, due to the efforts of the corporation and health officials, none were reported,” said a doctor at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.
“The disease is mostly immune related and during the first infection, which is known as the silent stage, there is only a mild fever, which patients try to cure with a Paracetmol,” he added. He said the second infection involves swelling in the body, joint pain, dilation of blood vessels and chances of liver failure.
“Most cases that come to the hospital are that of children with failed livers. Chances of revival of the liver are moderate. During the recovery stage, when fluids in the body get back into the blood vessels, there is a risk of cardiac failure,” he said.
