THRISSUR: A prominent ophthalmologist here has issued a warning against the sudden increase in cases of dirofilariasis or dog filariasis) during the rainy season.
The larvae bringing the disease, manifesting as swelling eye region, reaches the human body through mosquitoes from dogs.
The medics say it's a mosquito-borne disease that requires precautions.
“I have been practising in Thrissur for the past 20 years, and the dog filariasis cases were quite rare all these years," ophthalmic surgeon Rani Menon said.
"But, in the last one to two years, my eye clinic is attending these patients regularly. There have been six or seven cases in the last year and four cases after the August floods.”
The usual symptom is swelling around the eyes due to the presence of the larvae. Doctors prescribe the same tablets removing intestinal worms in high dosages.
“If the swelling occurs repeatedly, there is a possibility of the larvae becoming a worm, seen in ultrasound examination. The worm could grow up to 20 cm needs to be removed from under the eyelids,” Dr Menon said.
She said the authorities need to control mosquitoes first and protect cages of pet dogs with nets to prevent mosquito bites. The menace of stray dogs also needs to be addressed.
