Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 9: District in-charge Pramod Madhwaraj visited dengue affected areas on Saturday, July 8 in Hanumanth Nagar ward to understand the situation.
 
Nearly 132 confirmed cases of dengue have been reported only from Hanumanth Nagar ward from last December. This ward comes under City Municipality Council Udupi. Though all precautionary measures have been taken, the outbreak of dengue cases in the ward is alarming.  

It is learnt that the mosquitoes are breeding in open and pure water. Around 10 workers, more than five sisters and MSW Thenkanidiyur students have conducted awareness camp on dengue in the ward.

According the DHO Rohini, “The department has provided more than 180 mosquito repellent bed nets. The mosquito nets can be washed for twenty times and used to prevent dengue.”  

Minister Pramod Madhwaraj visited many houses at Hanumanth Nagar and distributed mosquito nets to the residents.

The treatment of dengue is available in Manipal and District Ajjarkad hospital.

The main reason for the increase of dengue cases in Hanumanth Nagar is said to be severe shortage of water.

Health department has immediately taken preventive measures by fogging, cleaning the drainage and creating awareness about the disease. The department has also distributed nets to the families in the area.

According to the DHO Rohini, “Dengue is spread through the bite of female mosquito (Aedes aegypti). Mosquito breeds in small vessels where in fresh water is stored. The first dengue case was reported at Kodankooru last year. Now it is under control. There was a case in Hanumanth Nagar.”

“The total number of dengue cases in the district is 166, out them 114 cases were reported in urban area. Just three months back, a health education camp was conducted in association with Yuvaka Mandala Nittur. Only few people attended the programme. We have been conducting two types of tests called NS1 antigen and IgM Mac-Alisa test. It is found that dengue type 2 and type 3 are spreading in the ward. So people should be attentive and care for themselves. The fresh water storage factors are more in spreading the disease.”

“There is no particular treatment for the dengue fever and only symptomatic treatment can be administered. If anybody gets the fever second time, there are chances of down fall in platelets. If the platelet numbers come down, platelet transfusion needs to be done.”

“Not many malaria cases were reported in Udupi. There are two types of malaria in the district; Plasmodium falciparum (PF) and Plasmodium vivax (PV). Upto May the number of reported cases were 111.”  

“The team of campaign workers will visit every house ones a week to spread the awareness. The number of houses in wards are as followed; Hanumanth Nagar main (184), Rajivanagar (77+78), Nitturu (75+75+75), Kodankoor (258), Kodankoor new colony (198), ST colony in Hanumanth nagar (120), ST Colony (130) in Hanamanth nagar,” she added.

Pramod Madhwaraj said, “A proposal has been sent to Slum Board to construct additional drainage in the ward. The dengue cases are coming under control. The fielders should work with dedication and commitment to spread the awareness and control the diseases.