In past 11 days, Rajasthan reports its 18% of dengue cases of this year

JAIPUR: Aedes aegypti mosquito’s presence in abundance is taking a toll on the health of people in the state. In past 11 days, the state reported 18% of the total dengue cases reported throughout the year, setting alarm bells ringing.
In the past two months, 2,483 cases of dengue were reported but in the past 11 days, the situation has worsened. On October 11, there were 3,697 persons diagnosed with dengue but it increased to 4,506 in past 11 days. Jaipur is worst affected due to dengue. City hospitals are receiving cases of dengue in increased numbers. The spurt in dengue cases is a major cause of concern as it is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits Zika too.

However, health department is claiming that the cases of dengue are much less in comparison to the corresponding period of past year. “We have reported 4,506 cases of dengue till date this year, in the corresponding period last year we had reported 5,605 cases of dengue. It means that we have reported lesser number of dengue cases this year,” said Kalicharan Saraf, health minister.

Saraf said that only five persons died of dengue this year whereas 15 persons had died of dengue in the corresponding period of last year. He said that they are conducting activities in different parts of the state to prevent mosquito breeding. He said that in dengue affected areas, they are conducting spraying of pyrethrum.

However, health department blamed people too for harbouring mosquito larvae in their houses. “The fogging has much better results in outdoor. But, we are facing a challenge that mosquito larvae are breeding in houses,” said Veenu Gupta, additional chief secretary (health). Gupta said that they have launched campaigns time-to-time such as Swasthya Dal Apke Dwar, Mera Ganv Swasth Gavn and Hamara Swasthya Hamari Zimmedari aiming to prevent spread of vector-borne disease.

From the beginning of the year, there was indication that vector-borne disease would become a menace. In January only, 449 cases of dengue were reported. It is quite unusual that such a large number of cases of dengue were reported in winter. In February and March the state reported 248 cases and 237 cases of dengue, respectively.