Tirupati: A gradual decline in Covid-19 positive cases over the past few days is giving some respite to the people and to the over-burdened health authorities. Unfortunately, this seems like a short-lived joy for them, as there has been a marked increase in dengue cases. The double whammy is posing newer challenges.
The latest data from National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme shows that Andhra Pradesh has reported 732 dengue cases till July this year. The number looks meagre when compared to the cases reported in the last few years, but the health authorities have not become complacent. Rather, they have geared up with all preventive measures to contain the spread of both Covid and dengue.
According to the data, the state reported 925 dengue cases last year, while a year before that it was 5,286 the worst in six years. In 2015, about 3,159 cases and two dengue deaths were reported, followed by 3417 cases and two deaths in 2016, while it was 4,925 cases in 2017 and 4,011 the following year. Meanwhile, till July 30 of this year, 527 cases have been reported, which is considerably less compared to the last few years.
Though there has been a decline, the authorities and people are worried because Covid and the mosquito-borne disease have overlapping symptoms like high fever, headache and body pain. Virologists warn that dengue could aggravate the Covid situation as both viruses may supplement each other.
However, health experts say that there is no need to worry if the disease is treated in the early stages. If treatment gets delayed, platelets count f an infected person would come down, eventually causing immunity deficiency and respiratory problems in some cases. To allay such fears, the authorities have been conducting health campaigns and flu tests, complete blood count and chest X-ray, wherever required and vector control operations.
Meanwhile, of the 26.65 lakh blood slide examinations conducted till date, 645 malaria cases have been recorded. Last year, of the 53.41 lakh examinations, 2027 cases were recorded. Over 218 suspected chikungunya cases have been recorded in the State till date, of which 18 are confirmed, as against 318 suspected and 28 confirmed cases last year.
