The Hindu               23.09.2013 

Mosquito experts sitting on dengue file

Delay on the part of a few ‘babus’ in clearing a key
document, exclusively prepared to contain dengue in Madurai, is turning
out to be deadly.

Even as the city is bracing up to
meet the challenge of this year’s edition of dengue, the report, which
has made recommendations on dengue prevention, is yet to reach the
Madurai Corporation as some mosquito experts are sitting over the file
despite the gravity of fever situation.

The Centre
for Research in Medical Entomology (CRME) here, which is a premier
institution of the Indian Council of Medical Research working in the
sphere of vector borne diseases, has prepared a ‘master plan for Madurai
to control mosquitoes’ over six months ago.

This
report was supposed to have been given to the Madurai Corporation well
before the onset of dengue season after getting technical clearance from
the scientific advisory committee of CRME. However, the master plan is
still on paper as a few masters are yet to clear it. Repeated reminders
of CRME top brass to the members of scientific advisory committee in the
last three months were of no avail.

“We have already
sent e-mails and reminded the committee members once again in writing
not to delay the report. This master plan will be helpful to Madurai
Corporation in mitigating dengue dangers. As per procedure, we have to
get official clearance from advisory committee before it is kept in
public domain,” B.K.Tyagi, Director, CRME, told “The Hindu” on Saturday.

The
125-page master plan for Madurai was prepared by a team of scientists
and entomologists suggesting ways to prevent mosquito breeding.

“We
have studied mosquito-genic conditions in this city and came out with
recommendations to help corporation authorities. I am after the advisory
committee members to quickly clear this document in the interest of
Madurai people because if it is given in time to the Corporation, it
will be helpful in fighting dengue challenge,” said Dr.Tyagi.

While
this report is still making rounds in the corridors of ‘babus’, the
city is already in a panic mode as suspected and confirmed dengue cases
are on the rise. The expose of poor sanitary conditions in Vikasa School
at Ponnagaram and how students there are admitted in various hospitals
due to fever has sent shockwaves across Madurai.

Paediatrician
S.Naavarasu of Vadamalayan Hospitals says that dengue anxiety is on the
rise among parents and they are insisting on doing ELISA test for their
children.

“Dengue cases are there in the city and it
is time people take steps to keep their surroundings clean. Dengue
mosquito is a day biter and it breeds in fresh water,” he cautions.

From
the overall perspective, the health wing of Madurai Corporation too has
intensified its anti-mosquito drive to prevent dengue outbreak expected
in October. Ten special teams were formed to carry out ward-wise
mosquito control activity and fever surveillance.

V.Yasodha
Mani, City Health Officer, says that schools and colleges are the
immediate focus for Corporation. Also, ward-wise coverage has been taken
up by deploying eight vehicle mounted fogging machines, 40 hand fogging
units and 24 thermal fog machines.

“Already, our
sanitary team had cleaned up water tanks and sumps in 40 schools. Health
education material is being distributed,” she said.

The
Corporation has put up fever register to collect data and analyse it
area wise. In case of suspected dengue, the medical officers will have
to act swiftly. Also, sanitary inspectors are deputed to collect fever
data from private hospitals. Consolidated fever data is regularly sent
to the Director of Public Health at Chennai.

Private
hospitals too are alert on their part in view of lessons learnt last
year around same time. For instance, the Apollo Speciality Hospital has a
special isolated ward to handle patients with dengue and other
infectious diseases.

“This year dengue cases are
less, but still we are prepared to meet any situation. We keep patients
in isolation ward for treatment,” a hospital employee said.

For
people who are panicky, Dr.Naavarasu says that platelet count in blood
should not fall and it is advisable to approach a doctor in case of
fever.

“Plenty of fluids has to be given to patient.
Hydration holds the key and we recommend tender coconuts,” he tells.
Severe abdominal pain, continuous vomiting and tiredness are among the
symptoms of dengue and this infection can be confirmed only after five
days of fever because antibodies will be positive only after five days.

As
the battle with mosquitoes is intensified, the city will look forward
to the crucial CRME master plan to ward off dengue at right time in a
right manner.