THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dengue cases in the city are at an all time high these days. The number of cases normally increases during the monsoon period from July to September. But this year, dengue has struck the city early. This year till date 923 dengue cases has been reported from various hospitals.
The dengue affected include those living in flats or other residential localities which were considered to be clean. “We do have waste management problem but the surroundings are clean. At least the wet areas have dried up in summer,” said a resident of one such locality.
Health officials explained the phenomenon. According to them the killer mosquitoes actually live inside your homes. Those who store water in numerous containers please be aware that mosquitoes find clean water the best place to breed. Many would have already stored large quantities after the water regulations were partially lifted for the last three days.
“We have found many instances of larva growing in fresh water stored inside homes. Some people keep the water unused and uncovered for long,” says senior biologist at the DMO office and in-charge of District Vector Control unit, Santhosh Kumar. According to him the practice of keeping large water storages inside houses is followed only in certain localities such as Poonthura. But it has now become a regular scene at most of the houses. The rise in the number of dengue cases points finger to this trend.
It is not just water containers, there are some other places inside the house where the mosquitoes breed. The overflow tray behind the fridge is one such ideal place. “During a recent field work we found larva in the fridge tray at least 15 houses. Usually people don’t clean the tray, making it an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes,” says Santhosh Kumar.
Similarly Money plants pots, plastic trays kept under pots of indoor plants and water from air conditioners are major breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Health officials say more preventive actions need to be taken before the onset of monsoon.
Prevention steps
Keep your house mosquito free
Drain stagnant water
Keep your trash cans covered
Use mosquito repellents
Wear protective clothing
Participate in mosquito eradication efforts
Worst affected wards
Thirumala
Beemapalli
Valiyathura
Punnakkamukal
Kadakampally
Nemom
Symptoms of Dengue Fever
Symptoms, which usually begin four to six days after infection and last for up to 10 days, may include
Sudden high fever
Severe headaches
Pain behind the eyes
Severe joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Skin rash, which appears two to five days after the onset of fever
Mild bleeding
Check for
Unutilised water storage
Tray behind fridge
Containers collecting water dripping from AC
Money plants pots
Tray collecting water from flower pots
The hurdles
Corporation officials have been carrying out fogging at areas from where mosquitoes related issues have been reported. Mayor V K Prashant said it is not advisable to fog the entire area since it may have adverse effect on health of the residents. Field visits from DVC unit will help identify the breeding grounds. But such visits happen only in 58 wards. For the other 42 wards, the health department has to appoint 32 workers. Unlike in metropolitan cities such as Delhi and Mumbai which slap big fines on people who keep their home and surroundings conducive for mosquito breeding, Thiruvananthapuram corporation charges only Rs 200. Also, it is yet to impose the fine on anyone. Corporation will be holding a meeting of health workers and public at each wards.