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Mohali: Dr Balbir emphasises dengue prevention, urges Village Health Committees to act

Mohali: Dr Balbir emphasises dengue prevention, urges Village Health Committees to act

Punjab health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday appealed to Village Health Committees to take proactive measures in protecting communities from dengue, chikangunya, and malaria. Punjab health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh launched the state-level campaign, 'Har Shukarvar, Village Health Committees Karangein Dengue Te Vaar', and released awareness posters for public dissemination. (HT File)
Dr Balbir was leading an awareness drive under the state-level campaign 'Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Vaar' in Barmajra village, near Mohali, where he conducted door-to-door visits to educate residents about preventive measures against fever and the importance of destroying mosquito breeding grounds.
Dr Balbir emphasised that the Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue, breeds in clean stagnant water, and that draining such water once a week can effectively halt its lifecycle.
He also urged residents to regularly clean and empty water containers such as coolers, refrigerator trays, and flowerpots, every Friday, to prevent mosquito breeding. 'If every household empties stagnant clean water once a week, we can prevent the spread of dengue not just in our homes, but across our communities,' he said.
The minister explained that Village Health Committees, which include panchayat members, schoolteachers, anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers, are instrumental in spreading awareness. He also shared that he personally visits different villages every Friday to motivate people to participate in the campaign.
Before presiding over a meeting with the Village Health Committee at Government School Barmajra, Dr Balbir launched the state-level campaign, 'Har Shukarvar, Village Health Committees Karangein Dengue Te Vaar', and released awareness posters for public dissemination.
During an interaction with school students, Dr Balbir stressed the importance of personal hygiene and nutrition. He also advised students to wash their hands before eating, maintain dental and eye hygiene, and eat nutritious food. He also directed school staff to remain alert to students' health, encouraging them to inform health teams during routine check-ups if any child shows symptoms of illness.
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Pune hospitals report rise in dengue cases after monsoon arrives early
Pune hospitals report rise in dengue cases after monsoon arrives early

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  • Time of India

Pune hospitals report rise in dengue cases after monsoon arrives early

Pune: The monsoon's arrival in May with heavy spells and the intermittent rain in June triggered an early start to dengue and chikungunya cases this year, doctors and data from Pune Municipal Corporation report. Between Jan and July 2, this year, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reported 264 suspected and 12 confirmed dengue cases. In June alone, there were 123 suspected cases and four confirmed cases (see box). The city also reported ten chikungunya cases for the same period. The highest dengue cases were from Aundh-Baner ward (43), followed by Nagar Road-Wadgaon Sheri ward (40) and Dhankawdi-Sahakarnagar ward which reported 26 cases. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Stagnating rainwater pools across the city are breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes that cause both diseases. Dr Rajesh Dighe, assistant health officer in PMC, said they began fogging and spraying of mosquito repellents early wherever a case was notified from any area. He added, "We have collected fines of Rs 1.58 lakh so far from people storing water where mosquitoes were breeding and issued more than 1,200 notices. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Lifetime Office 365 prime software Download Undo Citizens must diligently follow the once-a-week dry day system which is most effective in controlling the breeding of mosquitoes. We have not reported any positive Zika or Japanese encephalitis case this year so far." Six private hospitals that TOI spoke to said that they are reporting a spike in dengue cases. Dr Arvind Patil, internal medicine specialist at Apollo Clinic, said they have noticed more than 20-30 children visiting the clinic for either viral fever or gastrointestinal issues in the past few weeks. "It is a 10% jump in the number of cases reported around this time as compared to the previous year." The uptick in cases has also led to a rise in admissions in some hospitals. Dr Mahendra Dadke, consultant of internal medicine at Jupiter Hospital, said there is a significant rise in patients with high-grade fever, severe body aches, headaches, retro-orbital pain, rashes, and in some cases, low platelet counts. "Hospitalizations have also gone up, especially in cases where platelet levels drop drastically or warning signs like abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, and lethargy are observed," he said. He added that there is a rise in dengue cases among children who are more vulnerable to complications like dehydration and bleeding. Inamdar Hospital has reported 14 dengue cases in the first week of June diagnosed with NS1 antigen test. "More kids are down with dengue as they play outside in the evening when Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are most active," consultant physician Dr Rekha Sharma said. Apollo Spectra's internal medicine expert Dr Aditya Deshmukh said, there is a 20% surge in dengue cases this June as compared to last year. "Patients are of all ages, and they are reporting symptoms such as high fever, severe body aches, headaches, nausea, and rashes. However, there have been no dengue-related deaths," he added. Dr Abhimanyu Sengupta, senior consultant in general paediatrics at Ankura Hospital for Women & Children, noticed a relatively early rise in dengue cases this year as compared to previous years, and children between 5-12 seem to be affected more. Why are 'suspected cases' more in number? There are two dengue tests in prevalence A central government notification mandates that results from IgM ELISA tests and NS1-ELISA tests be considered as confirmed dengue cases Patients who undergo the non-ELISA NS1 antigen test are suspected cases This variation leads to the low number of confirmed cases on govt records Deaths of those who underwent the antigen test are not recorded either Private hospitals mostly use the NS1 antigen test which give results in two to three days The gold-standard Elisa test takes seven to eight days after the onset of symptoms The quicker antigen test has poor sensitivity and specificity and hence patients administered this test are considered "suspected cases", experts said There is a 30-35% increase in dengue and fever cases this June compared to the last year. Usually, we see a rise cases about 15-20 days after the rains start. The early monsoon led to early stagnation of water where mosquitoes that spread dengue breed. Hence there are so many cases this June. Many patients this year reported fatigue, malaise, and lethargy, rather than the typical fever, rash, and joint pain usually associated with dengue. We are also seeing a significant increase in hospitalizations due to dehydration and low platelet count Dr Rizwan Malik I General physician at Medicover Hospital

Protecting Children During Monsoon: Common Illnesses And How To Prevent Them
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Last Updated: With their developing immunity, children are more prone to illnesses and infections during the rainy season. An expert shares how parents can protect their kids this monsoon. The monsoon season offers welcome relief from the scorching summer, but it also creates ideal conditions for the spread of various infections. Children, with their still-developing immune systems and the natural tendency for outdoor play, are particularly vulnerable during this time. Dr Manoj A G, Consultant Physician on Practo, helps us understand the common illnesses during monsoon and how implementing proactive measures is crucial for parents to safeguard their children's health throughout the rainy season. Common Monsoon Illnesses in Children: Causes and Symptoms 1. Viral Fevers & Colds: Triggered by sudden weather shifts, high humidity, and close contact in schools, viral infections are common. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, and a runny nose. 2. Influenza (Flu): Influenza easily spreads via airborne droplets in crowded spaces. More intense than a cold, flu symptoms include high fever, chills, fatigue, and body aches. Annual flu shots are highly recommended. 3. Dengue & Chikungunya: Spread by Aedes mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water, dengue and chikungunya are common monsoon illnesses. Watch for high fever, severe headaches, joint pain, and rashes. In dengue, bleeding gums and low platelets are serious red flags. 4. Gastrointestinal Infections: Often caused by contaminated water or unsafe street food. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and dehydration. 6. Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection spreads through floodwater contaminated with rat urine. This infection is common among kids playing barefoot. The symptoms include fever, muscle aches, red eyes, and fatigue. How Parents Can Safeguard Their Children From Monsoon Illnesses Prioritize Hygiene: Encourage frequent handwashing, trimmed nails, and no face-touching after outdoor play. Ensure Safe Drinking Water: Only give children boiled or filtered water. Avoid roadside drinks, cut fruits, or flavoured ice. Boost Immunity Through Diet: Include Vitamin C-rich fruits like guava and oranges, warm soups, turmeric milk, and curd in daily meals. Avoid Risky Foods: Say no to street food, raw salads, and uncovered snacks. Stick to home-cooked, well-cooked meals. Prevent Mosquito Bites: Use nets, child-safe repellents, and full-sleeve clothing. Regularly empty stagnant water from pots, coolers, and toys. Keep Clothes Dry: Change wet clothes promptly. Ensure garments are washed and completely dried before reuse. When To Call The Doctor Dr Manoj notes that parents should seek medical help if the child shows these symptoms: With simple, proactive care, clean water, wholesome food, mosquito control, and hygiene, monsoons can be both joyful and safe. First Published:

Mohali: Dr Balbir emphasises dengue prevention, urges Village Health Committees to act
Mohali: Dr Balbir emphasises dengue prevention, urges Village Health Committees to act

Hindustan Times

timea day ago

  • Hindustan Times

Mohali: Dr Balbir emphasises dengue prevention, urges Village Health Committees to act

Punjab health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday appealed to Village Health Committees to take proactive measures in protecting communities from dengue, chikangunya, and malaria. Punjab health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh launched the state-level campaign, 'Har Shukarvar, Village Health Committees Karangein Dengue Te Vaar', and released awareness posters for public dissemination. (HT File) Dr Balbir was leading an awareness drive under the state-level campaign 'Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Vaar' in Barmajra village, near Mohali, where he conducted door-to-door visits to educate residents about preventive measures against fever and the importance of destroying mosquito breeding grounds. Dr Balbir emphasised that the Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue, breeds in clean stagnant water, and that draining such water once a week can effectively halt its lifecycle. He also urged residents to regularly clean and empty water containers such as coolers, refrigerator trays, and flowerpots, every Friday, to prevent mosquito breeding. 'If every household empties stagnant clean water once a week, we can prevent the spread of dengue not just in our homes, but across our communities,' he said. The minister explained that Village Health Committees, which include panchayat members, schoolteachers, anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers, are instrumental in spreading awareness. He also shared that he personally visits different villages every Friday to motivate people to participate in the campaign. Before presiding over a meeting with the Village Health Committee at Government School Barmajra, Dr Balbir launched the state-level campaign, 'Har Shukarvar, Village Health Committees Karangein Dengue Te Vaar', and released awareness posters for public dissemination. During an interaction with school students, Dr Balbir stressed the importance of personal hygiene and nutrition. He also advised students to wash their hands before eating, maintain dental and eye hygiene, and eat nutritious food. He also directed school staff to remain alert to students' health, encouraging them to inform health teams during routine check-ups if any child shows symptoms of illness.

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