Atmosphere favourable for dengue to flourish

KANPUR: The city is in the grip of vector-borne diseases. The female mosquitoes of aedes aegypti, also known as tiger mosquito, spread the dengue virus. Around 50 patients have been confirmed dengue positive by medical college within 20 days.
The weather has been conducive for the hyperactivity of the dengue virus. Health officials pray for the early onset of winters which alone can control the mosquito menace.
The reason for the rise in vector-borne diseases is unhygienic condition prevailing in almost everywhere.Heap of garbage create a suitable environment for the growth of various bacterial and fungal infection and pot-holed roads due to laying of sewer lines has lead to the spread of vector-borne diseases.
"Due to stagnation of rainwater and accumulation of garbage, the locality has has become a potential mosquito breeding ground. There are many patients in the area who are suffering from dengue or showing symptoms of chikugunia," Naveen Pandit, corporator of Govind Nagar, said.
Describing the pathetic conditions at Jajmau, a local resident Rajeev said: "Despite the spread of various diseases, the KNN officials are not bothered to get the garbage cleaned and drains desilted for proper flow of rainwater and sewage waste."
Similar complaints were reported from Nirala Nagar, Naubasta, Lal Bangla, Juhi and other parts of the city.
Doctors say that temperature and humidity in the rainy season creates a perfect environment for mosquito breeding. "As weather is conducive for breeding of mosquitoes, the masses become more susceptible to vector-borne illness like malaria and dengue," Arti Lalchandani, a doctor at Lala Lajpat Rai (LLR) Hospital, said.
She further add: "Since the past one month, the OPD has been flooded with patients of viral ailments. A major chunk of the patients have symptoms of vector-borne illnesses like fever and joint pain. Nearly 25-30 per cent cases are of dengue."
The paediatrics department has been witnessing similar situation. Besides affecting the adults, the dengue fever also has children as its victims.
On the other hand, the demand for blood platelets has also increased. The condition can be gauged from the fact that the demand of platelet bags has exceeded to more than 100 units per day. GSVM Medical College is supplying 60 units of platelet bags daily. While other blood banks are also chipping in.
Doctors say that dengue patients suffer from internal bleeding owing to the sudden reduction in the platelet count in the blood. Notably, platelets are the essential component of blood which helps in clotting. Thus, for speedy treatment of patient suffering from dengue or malaria, the platelets (one of the component of blood) are injected intravenously to save the life of the victim by regulating internal bleeding.
Chief medical officer Ashok Mishra said: "During this season, the number of patients suffering from viral ailments and vector-borne diseases increases. The hospitals are equipped to treat the patients of dengue."