We all are aware of this Dengue / Chikungunya menace. Preventing this epidemic disease from spreading requires a coordinated community effort to increase awareness about Dengue/DHF/ Chikungunya, in order to help people recognize it, and prevent the breeding of mosquitoes that transmit it.

Fighting The Dengue Menace
Dengue is a viral fever, caused by a breed of mosquitoes; aedes aegypti, is the leading cause of hospitalization and death among children in India. The number of Dengue cases ranges from 7-16 thousand per anum. A maximum of 2,17,9996 cases were recorded in the year 1986.

Symptoms and Signs A large number of infections may be sub-clinical, that is, the patients may not even be aware that they have had the disease. The infection usually manifests itself as fever with severe body pain or myalgia. There may be an associated rash over parts of the body. The body pain is so intense that this disease has been called break-bone fever.

Diagnosis Blood tests may show a low white blood cell count, a low platelet count, and elevation of certain enzymes.

Treatment and Prognosis Treatment is usually supportive and symptomatic. Anti-pyretics like Paracetamol based Crocin can be used during the acute phase to minimise the risk of secondary infection. Aspirin and Brufen should be avoided in dengue fever.

Prevention Control and elimination of mosquito population is the best method of prevention.

Prevent Mosquito Bites:
1. Wear full sleeve clothes and long dresses to cover the limbs
2. Repellent - care should be taken in using repellents on small children and the elderly
3. Use mosquito coils and electric vapour mats during the daytime to prevent Dengue
4. Use mosquito nets
5. Protection of people sick with dengue - Mosquitoes become infected when they bite people who are sick with dengue. Mosquito nets and mosquito

coils will effectively prevent mosquitoes from biting sick people and help stop the spread of dengue. In case of fever use of Paracetamol (Crocin) is

helpful
6. Remove stagnant water in desert coolers in households

Chikungunya is also a viral illness that is spread by the bite of Aedes mosquito. It resembles Dengue fever. According to the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme, over 12 lakh chikungunya cases have already been reported in the country.

Symptoms The early symptoms are sudden severe headache, chills, fever, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. A rash may sometimes occur. Children may display neurological symptoms.

Treatment is symptomatic Patient should take rest, consume lot of fluids, and take Paracetamol (Crocin) to relieve symptoms of fever and aching. Aspirin should be avoided. Infected persons should be protected from further exposure to mosquitoes (staying indoors and using a mosquito net during the first few days of illness) so that they do not contribute to the transmission cycle.

Prevention is always better than cure. So apply insect repellent liberally, wear long sleeves and trousers, and secure screens on windows and doors. The Aedes mosquitoes breed in clean, stagnant water. So empty any containers that collect rainwater, like flower pots, buckets, discarded tires, old oil drums, water storage vessels, and plastic food containers. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly.

Control of the mosquito population reduces the incidence of Dengue and Chikungunya that are transmitted by the same species of mosquitoes. It is always easier to talk about change than to make it. Being a responsible member of the society, we should take the initiative to spread this message in our community to help people to fight, prevent & control these diseases.