The Times of India               07.12.2013

Dengue to go off the radar by December 15

CHANDIGARH: Dengue threat will fade away from the city in the next 10 days , say health experts, asserting the disease is less damaging this year as only 99 positive cases are reported till date as compared to 360 in the same period last year.

"Records of daily surveys have proved dengue-causing mosquito, Aedes Aegypti, will cease to exist by December 15," says Dr Anil Garg, assistant director, malaria, UT administration.

Dengue mosquitoes breed in fresh water, making larvae in water collected in tyres, tubes, flower pots or coolers. "We had been holding awareness programmes and more than the issuing challans, we emphasised on control of breeding of these mosquitoes. This year the figures are one-third to that of the last year and without any mortality," adds Dr Garg. Experts believe it is now the season for culex mosquito, which does not cause any disease. "It is a mosquito which is a nuisance due to its bite. It will breed soon. Malaria and dengue are expected to decline in the days to come," says Garg.

In 2012, the figures for dengue cases had crossed 100 and spiralled to 300 in just two months. "The dengue figures vary from year to year. Previous years saw a pattern of decline and increase also. This season it was of decline," says a UT health official.

Symptoms of dengue include fever accompanied by severe headaches, muscle and joint pains and rashes. Dengue is also characterised by abdominal pain, persistent vomiting and difficulty in breathing. High-risk patients include children, elderly, pregnant women and immuno-compromised.

Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which spreads dengue through its bite, breeds in stagnant water, biting only in the day.