Dengue & chikungunya cases almost double in north Maha as compared to last year

Nashik: The number of dengue and chikungunya cases in north Maharashtra has almost doubled to 1,650 this year so far as compared to 888 during the same period last year. The case surge is more pronounced in the Nashik civic limits where the number of dengue and chikungunya cases have surged to 950 during the Jan 1-Sept 21 period this year. Last year, only 460 patients were recorded in the area during the period.According to the divisional malaria department in Nashik, a total of 1,565 dengue cases and 85 chikungunya cases have been recorded in the division till Sept 21 this year. Last year, during the same period, the number of dengue cases stood at 877, while that of chikungunya stood at 11. Data analysis showed nearly 80% rise in the dengue cases this year as against the last, while chikungunya caseload has increased by eight times.Officials of the divisional health department said the health machinery was working continuously to trace dengue and chikungunya patients for timely treatment. "Ashas and health workers are routinely visiting houses in the areas where dengue and chikungunya patients have been found. Even those who are suffering from fever are advised to get themselves checked at primary health centres. Once a patient is found positive for dengue or chikungunya, the entire area is scanned and efforts are made to clear the mosquito-breeding spots," an official said.Health officials have also advised people to observe a dry day once a week, which involves properly washing all the water storing utensils and drying them thoroughly to avoid mosquito breeding. "Preventive measures like spraying of medicine, besides fogging, have been initiated in the affected areas," the official said.A health professional said during the monsoon months, rainwater usually washes off the larvae and eggs pools, interrupting mosquito breeding. This year, however, cases started rising with the pre-monsoon showers when on and off rainfall was recorded in many places.GRAPHICArea—————Jan 1-Sept 21, 2023 —————Jan 1-Sept 21, 2024——————Dengue Chikungunya Dengue Chikungunya Nashik —————99 7 201 17 Nashik Corp————— 457 3 910 40 Malegoan Corp —————25 0 57 0 Dhule —————70 0 72 0 Nandurbar —————17 0 30 3 Jalgaon —————60 0 65 0 Ahmednagar —————149 1 230 25 Total ————— 877 11 1,565 85