Stay Alert To Avoid Dengue

Bini Dahal

We are always trying to protect ourselves from mosquitoes during the nighttime. And in the daytime, we rarely pay attention to the presence of these blood-sucking insects. But such negligence on our part could potentially lead to transmission of dengue. This viral infection causes a flu-like illness. It may sometimes cause a deadly complication, too.  

With the arrival of every monsoon, mainly from June to September, the mosquito population grows considerably. Construction of roads and drains is so bad that potholes filled with stagnant water often become a perfect ground for mosquitoes to breed. The changing weather pattern is another factor contributing to an exponential rise in the number of mosquitoes. The weather is hot and humid and it is exactly the kind of weather that these species of insects enjoy. 

At present, the dengue outbreaks have been reported in most parts of Nepal. The number of people suffering from dengue has subsequently gone up. Several hospitals within the Kathmandu Valley alone now do not have rooms to serve more dengue patients. This means hospitals are already overburdened with such patients. 

It might just be a single bite but with it the insect makes the human body suffer much from different symptoms. They include vomiting, rashes, mild to high fever, severe muscle pain and headache. The scariest part of this disease is that it is highly communicable. Dengue is stated to not have a permanent cure of its own. However, preventive measures are helpful in containing the disease and reducing the number of casualties. 

A search and destroy drive is considered to be one of the most effective measures to tackle dengue. This technique involves the identification and elimination of breeding sites of mosquitoes and its vector. But, for this to be successful, there should be proper coordination and collaboration between the local authorities and the general public. 

Most people believe they should not protect themselves from mosquitoes during the day. However, day or night, these insects are continuously performing their actions. So, we need to keep saving ourselves from these insects. Local governments could play a crucial role in preventing and controlling this disease. But it is sad to note that they do not have adequate funds to launch a campaign against the disease. There should be good collaboration among the three-tier of government to manage funds for dealing with this infection. 

Every step requires an action at the individual level. We cannot be expecting the government to do everything for us. We should try to manage basic things like using mosquito nets and ointments. Special attention should be given even during the day and this could mean wearing cloths full sleeves and applying mosquito-repellent ointments as well. Ensuring that there is no stagnant water pot around our area is also our responsibility. 

At the national level, we require effective policies and rules. The health authorities should be active in mobilising volunteers and health specialists for the same.  Dengue can be considered a result of unmanaged urbanisation and growing climate change issues. With the changing times, it is important that we become resilient enough to adapt to all of these problems. Monsoon will end soon. So before that, the government and communities must seek a permanent solution to this public health problem. Creating a lot of awareness among people is necessary for the prevention of this lethal viral infection.