Spike in dengue cases raises concern

Coimbatore: There is a spike in dengue cases being reported daily in the city, especially among the children.

While the ongoing rainy season has offered a conducive environment for breeding of aedes mosquitoes, health experts have called on the district administration and the public to take preventive measures to keep the children from falling victims to dengue.

Dr V Booma, head, paediatrics department, Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), said at least 20 children were getting admitted to the hospital daily with dengue-like illnesses after the rain in the past two weeks.

Being a tertiary care hospital, Dr Booma said, cases were being referred to CMCH from various parts of the district and neighbouring districts. “Cases are reported mostly from Mettupalayam and Udumalpet.”

Dr D Vijayagiri, paediatric surgeon, SGK Hospital, Mettupalayam, said they were finding it difficult to differentiate between dengue and Covid-19 cases, as symptoms were similar. The hospital alone records about 40 suspected dengue cases daily.

“Even in Covid-19 cases, patients witness a drop in platelet count. Hence, we are worried. Along with dengue, there are possibilities of associated Covid. While dengue mainly affects blood cell components, Covid affects lungs. It increases the morbidity and delays the recovery. If dengue is not subsiding within two-three days of treatment, we will have to suspect Covid-19 and take repeated tests,” Vijayagiri said.

Dr A Jayavardhana, head of paediatrics department, PSG Hospitals, said they were getting about seven to 10 children with dengue or related illness daily. “Most of them are mild cases of dengue. Severe form of dengue may be witnessed in the second part of the season in January and February, because of reinfection. Parents should exercise caution and take adequate steps to keep mosquitoes out of their houses.”

Meanwhile, more rain is expected in the coming days, because of the formation of another new weather system over the Bay of Bengal. This may only lead to a spike in dengue cases.

Dr P Aruna, deputy director of health services, has sought support from the public in keeping their surroundings free from mosquito breeding sources. “A week-long drive was carried to educate the public on clearing waste materials from their houses. While stagnation of rainwater needs to be prevented, people should not dump unused materials in isolated places in their houses, as mosquitoes prefer dark places to hide.”