Open house: What should be done to contain spread of seasonal, vector-borne diseases?

Maintain hygiene, ensure cleanliness

Every year, we have to suffer from various types of diseases such as dengue, chikangunya, malaria and swine flu etc. It is the duty of the local, state and Central government to provide medical facilities at civil and private hospitals to look after the dengue patients. The government should instruct the management of all hospitals to reserve a ward for dengue patients. The other duty rests on the shoulders of citizens, that we should keep our periphery and environment clean and motivate others to do the same. To avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, one should wear clothes that cover the body fully and use mosquito-repellent creams. There should not be stagnant water in the surroundings and at homes. One should make sure that the living area and surroundings are hygienic and clean. Change the water in room coolers once a week. The government should make the maximum use of electronic and print media to make people aware of these diseases, their causes, symptoms and remedies with the help of expert doctors. People should not spread rumours to create panic among the public. Special programmes should be initiated in schools and colleges to spread awareness.

Farzana khan

All in Place

ADequate arrangements have been made at all the government institutions to test and treat dengue, malaria, swine flu, chikungunya and other viral patients with a special ward reserved for dengue patients at the civil hospital in the city. Dr Pardeep Kumar Mohindra, Civil surgeon

Educate people, take out awareness drives

Malaria and dengue can turn fatal. The season for the outbreak of these diseases is at its peak. We need to pay attention towards this. Malaria is a parasitic infection which is not viral. But dengue is a viral infection and can get transmitted. Now let’s have a look on how we can prevent these diseases. Avoid accumulation of water at any place near your surroundings even if it is fresh water, Nowadays, mosquitoe growth is at its peak because the environmental factors help in their breeding. Stagnant water is their favourite breeding ground. Use of waxes and oils can provide relief. We should use these types of products to enhance the security of our family. Try to use these artificial products to prevent these diseases. And we should wear proper clothes whenever we go outside. Try to wear full sleeve shirts and proper clothing, even for children. We should keep our surroundings clean and avoid accumulation of garbage. The government should also organise a campaign to educate people about taking precautionary measures to protect their health. Hospitals should organise camps to guide people on safeguards against these diseases. People should give an undertaking to keep their homes and surroundings clean. Hospitals should organise health check-up camps for residents, provide them with correct diagnosis and proper medicines.

Pawanpreet singh

Ensure mosquito control, opd access

Dengue, malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases have caused many deaths. An estimated half of all recorded human deaths in history are linked to these diseases, leading experts to declare mosquitoes as the most dangerous animals for humans. Alongside mosquito-borne diseases, it is essential to prevent the spread of other viruses and flu infections. Studies show that a significant number of malaria cases (71.8%) occur in low-income communities where people often live and work in areas lacking effective mosquito control and healthcare access. To prevent the spread of these diseases in our district, we need to reduce mosquito breeding sites, such as stagnant water around neighbourhoods and parks. For personal protection, use insect repellents with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, wear long-sleeved clothing and use bed nets—since personal protection is one of the most critical factors. Pregnant women and children, who have weaker immune systems, are more vulnerable and should be given extra care during an infection. If you or someone in your household develops a fever, seek medical care immediately for early diagnosis. Additionally, regular community education and awareness campaigns besides vaccination programmes can make a significant impact. Advertising these diseases and their prevention strategies will further help spread awareness. A disease does not discriminate on the basis of wealth or status, so make sanitation and hygiene a responsibility for everyone. Working together, we can protect ourselves and reduce the

impact of these diseases in the community.

Damanpreet singh

Awareness campaigns need of hour

With the change in weather, cases of dengue, malaria, swine flu and other viral diseases are on the rise. Hospitals are reporting hundreds of these cases every day. In order to prevent these diseases, the following actions need to be taken immediately. Dengue, malaria and all other viral diseases are spread by mosquitoes which is a vector. Remove all stagnant water from utensils, buckets and pots etc as they are a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Wear long sleeve shirts and pants when going outside to avoid mosquito bites. Use mosquito repellent cream or spray, maintain cleanliness around the house, close the windows and doors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are more likely to appear. The government should implement public mosquito control programmes and conduct awareness campaigns to make public conscious of the need for prevention.

Kirandeep kaur

Employ 4S strategy, use botanicals

Recent reports suggest that malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases are spreading at an alarming rate. This is worrisome. It should be tackled on priority basis. The situation in Ludhiana town is also worrying. Claims by health authorities sound hollow. The government should devise a multi-pronged strategy to eradicate these diseases. People should empty all plant pots, air coolers, old tyres of stagnant water and spray ponds or lace them with kerosene. They should wear full-sleeve clothes and trousers. Grow mosquito repellent plants such as marigold, citronella, catnip, rosemary, lemongrass, lavender and use camphor and other aromatic oils of lavender, tea tree, citronella, eucalyptus and mint. In a spray bottle, combine a few drops of your preferred oil and water and squirt it around the house. There are various types of mosquito repellent creams and lotions in the market, and nets are also an excellent option for mosquito protection. Use the 4S strategy to achieve complete protection from vector-borne diseases: Search and destroy; Seek self-protection from mosquito bites; Seek early consultation when signs and symptoms of dengue appear; Say yes to fumigation or fogging when an outbreak is imminent. Drink plenty of fluids. Proper bed rest is also required. The government should make adequate arrangements for the timely treatment of affected patients. Health authorities should educate the public about the risks and benefits of vector-borne disease prevention.

Sukhdev sharma

Authorities need to be more sensitive

Images of effluents flowing into rivers and pathetic scenes of people throwing garbage in the open are featured in every newspaper. Such scenes are commonplace. They stare at us, asking a few piercing questions: Who are these people? Have they forgotten how to keep their neighbourhood clean? Accountability is something we cannot expect from everyone today because people prefer to retreat into the cocoon of self-interest, blind to the fact that their actions cause diseases. I feel malaria, dengue fever, and swine flu that are on rise in Ludhiana district are not natural diseases; they emerge as a result of human negligence. Plasmodium mosquitoes spread malaria, whereas Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes transmit dengue. Swine flu (H1N1) is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. Will those responsible for allowing dengue larvae to survive and throwing garbage in the open, ever think about those who will have to deal with the devastation of dengue and malaria? Will they recognise that any outbreak has serious consequences, with the poor bearing the brunt because they are forced to survive in the absence of adequate resources? To prevent the spread of dengue and malaria, the administration must control vector breeding by fogging all city areas.

Novin Christopher

Prevent water from accumulating

Seasonal diseases are on the rise in the district. Every possible measure must be taken to stop them for the safety of the citizens against these diseases. Dengue is one such disease that is caused by the mosquitoes. It is therefore essential that for its control, all low-lying areas in the cities are attended to against mosquito breeding. Water must not be allowed to stagnate at any place in the city. All water surfaces must be sprayed for mosquito control. Residents must be educated on the advantages of this process. Further, in the rural areas around the city, there are many ponds where mosquitoes are breeding uninterrupted. The surface of these ponds must be sprayed. Both urban and rural residents must be educated to this end. Rural areas must not become the main source of mosquito breeding. The authorities must also develop the facilities needed for the treatment of patients against these diseases. It must be ensured that both the government and private hospitals have enough stock of the medicines needed and have facilities for both OPD and in-door treatment of patients. The staff of both the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation and the Department of Health must be more active in controlling the spread of these diseases and the treatment of patients. The impact of these diseases can thereby be kept under check.

Gautam dev

Early diagnosis is key, set up more labs

To stop the spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, and swine flu in Ludhiana, we need to take action on two fronts. First, we must control mosquitoes, the main carriers of dengue and malaria. Regular fogging and community awareness campaigns can help. People should use mosquito repellents, wear protective clothing, and keep their surroundings clean. Second, early diagnosis and treatment are key. Setting up well-equipped fever clinics and making diagnostic kits easily available can help identify and treat these diseases quickly. Additionally, promoting vaccination drives for diseases like swine flu can protect people from getting sick. By combining these efforts, we can effectively fight these diseases and safeguard public health in Ludhiana.

Tamanpreet Kaur Khangura

MC should carry out fogging drives

Avoid self-medication. The MC should carry out fogging at all vulnerable areas of the city where mosquitoes breed. Health workers and breeding checkers should inspect suspected breeding areas and destroy the larve found. As responsible citizens, the residents should use insect repellents and wear clothing that completely covers their arms and legs. People should mark every Friday as a “dry day” and empty all discarded tins, tyres, empty pots, broken bottles, flower pots and so on to prevent mosquito breeding in and around their homes. Will those responsible for allowing dengue larvae to survive and throwing garbage in the open, ever think about those who will have to deal with the devastation of dengue and malaria?

RS Sembhi