Chandigarh health dept shares dos and don'ts to combat dengue outbreak

Dengue cases are on the rise in Chandigarh, with 241 positive patients recorded by Friday night this season, according to the Health Department. Director of Health Services Dr Suman shared that 65 to 70 people are being tested daily, but not all are diagnosed with dengue — some have viral fever instead. “The challenge lies in distinguishing between the two, as both conditions share similar symptoms, including low platelet count.”

To combat the situation, Dr Suman Singh has issued an advisory urging residents to observe every Saturday as “Dry Day” to help mitigate the spread of dengue. On that day, families, communities and institutions can find time to clean and dry all water containers.

Free testing facilities

The two tests for dengue — NS1 and IgM ELISA — are available at GMSH-16, GMCH-32 and PGI, which are free of cost. Free testing for malaria parasites is also available in all malaria units at AAM (Ayushman Arogya Mandir), Civil Hospital and GMSH-16. A dedicated dengue helpline number (7626002036) is available for people to register complaints regarding spray, fogging and other related issues.

Dos

• Check for standing water after every rainfall
• Keep water containers, overhead tanks, and desert coolers properly covered
• Scrub dry coolers and containers weekly
• Clean refrigerator back trays weekly to prevent water stagnation
• Clean bird/animal feeding pots weekly with scrub and water, and change water in these pots every week
• Use mosquito repellents on exposed skin during the day
• Wear full-sleeved clothes, long dresses/trousers to cover arms and legs
• Use mesh doors/windows, mosquito coils, vapour mats, and bed nets (especially for infants and children)
• Ensure no waterlogging on rooftops, ground areas, or around buildings, and remove broken furniture/junk from open spaces

Don’ts

• Don’t let water collect in and around homes, offices, factories, schools, etc.
• Don’t keep broken earthenware, bottles, pots, flower vases, etc. outside or on rooftops
• Don’t leave water in desert coolers when not in use
• Don’t place plates under flower pots.
• Don’t store water in uncovered or improperly covered containers/tanks
• Don’t store tyres outside homes, workshops, godowns etc.
• Don’t throw coconut shells in the open after consuming coconut water
• Don’t discard disposable items like glasses, cups, plates, kulhads in open spaces
• Don’t give aspirin/brufen to patients with dengue fever, as it may lead to bleeding if platelets are low; use Paracetamol tablets for fever and body ache