04/10/2021
What is Dengue?
Vector (a bug/insect)-born viral infection. Early symptoms may mimic mild Covid symptoms (flu like, lethargy, fever, malaise, body aches).
Spreads through mosquitoes. Aedes genus (both species) and it bites both day and night.
Picture credit – The Atlantic
Highly prevalent on the globe. Stagnant/standing water > Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes need to bite an infected person to get infected after which they carry the virus to their next host.
Key Preventive Measures:
1. Eradicate mosquito infection (eliminate carriers - Humans/mosquitoes)
2. Prevent Mosquito Bites.
Human Carriers can be eliminated by use of mosquito nets, prevention of mosquito bites, isolation of infected individuals. Virus can transfer from infected pregnant woman to her fetus.
Mosquitoes can be eradicated using truck spraying. It requires EWS so authorities spray WHEN mosquitoes are increasing in numbers and NOT AFTER Dengue has started spreading fast. It’s primarily a preventive control measure. Spraying AFTER the epidemic starts is akin to closing the barn door after most of the horses have escaped. Spray itself can be toxic especially in untrained hands, so it’s important to build trained workforce or outsource it to people know what vector control actually entails.
PITB has an app to track Dengue larva/mosquito activity however only authorized personnel with login/PW can use it. Where the data goes is anyone’s guess. How the data is made public is also anyone’s guess. What policy decisions are made based on this data…
You get the picture.
The relatively easier measure is to prevent mosquito bites. For that, for indoors, make sure to eradicate any mosquitoes in the house. Don’t let water stand in buckets, flowerpots etc. Use screen doors. Use coils and mats (if they’re still available?!?) and mosquito oils. Wear full sleeves when going outdoors. Use mosquito repellents on exposed areas. Plenty of natural and synthetic repellents available. Check CDC website for more information.
Currently, anecdotal evidence suggests a rise in Dengue in Punjab. However, mild Dengue and mild Covid may have similar symptoms. Therefore, testing is necessary. Platelet count isn’t a diagnostic test. Low platelets just show that the hemorrhagic fever has gotten severe.
If you suspect Dengue, prevent further mosquito bites – use mosquito nets, mosquito repellents, and inform people in the area where you supposedly got bitten. Drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated. Control fever with Acetaminophen (Tylenol/Panadol). Don’t use Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs (they can worsen hemorrhagic symptoms). If you’re on anticoagulants or Aspirin, talk to your doctor. If symptoms worsen despite good homecare, talk to your doctor. Going to the hospital with mild illness can expose you to Covid. So. When in doubt, talk to your doctor.
Covid spreads via respiratory droplet/is airborne. Dengue requires a mosquito bite. So, prevention measures are easier – Don’t get bitten by a mosquito.
