Dengue Cases on Rise: Steps to Take to Protect Yourself

Dengue is an infectious disease spread through mosquitoes, where symptoms such as headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle pain, nausea, swollen glands, and rash are displayed. It is an acute flu-like illness, which has chances of developing into lethal complications. The COVID-19 pandemic has already placed immense pressure on health care and management thus, populations where dengue flares up are at the potential that may result in devastating consequences. Personal care is the most effective solution to stay safe without relying on the government or other external factors to resolve the issue. Steps you can take to ensure you are safe are –

1. Prevent any exposure to mosquitoes – As most working individuals have chosen to work from home, it is important to ensure your safety and, to make sure your home is a non breeding place for mosquitoes. Care such as window screens, repellent spraying, coils, and insecticides that are meant for household usage must be stocked up. There should be special vigilance throughout the day as it is the most active period for dengue mosquitoes.
2. Help in the prevention of mosquito breeding – The main method to prevent transmission of the dengue virus is to combat mosquito vectors and ensure a mosquito-free environment. This can be brought about by proper community management and modifications to our environment. Removal of stagnant water pools, spraying of insecticides on water surfaces not meant for drinking, the introduction of dragonflies near farms, and covering of sewage channels. Households can make sure to dispose of solid wastes and kitchen wastes properly. Most importantly it is important to make sure any damp and moist surface where it may be possible for mosquitoes to breed are cleared out or treated with insecticides.
3. Care while you travel – Many individuals need to travel to their workplaces through areas that may be suffering from an outbreak. It is important that in such cases personal surveillance and alertness are maintained. Clothes with full sleeves, trousers and pants, and long clothing are advisable. For children mosquitoes, clothing sets can be used as they play outdoors. It is also important to use mosquito repellent creams on the exposed body and where clothing is not suitable.
4. Vaccination – For individuals who are at extreme risk as their profession dictates their interaction with the mass, it may be necessary to vaccinate yourself. Vaccine CYD-TDV is a successful vaccine to combat dengue. It should be considered a part of an integrated dengue prevention and control strategy where even individuals at low risk can participate for complete prevention.
5. Limited travel – Areas where water is sprayed regularly such as parks, gardens, and sites where pedestrian traffic is abundant should be avoided till this season has passed. This can be followed by the elderly and young alike. For walks and runs, it may be better to do them indoors.

Footnote

Early detection is important as it is untreatable as it progresses into severe dengue. Hence it is vital for dengue prevention and control.