Dengue not down in Minicoy despite efforts

 

 

Following a DC report early this month of the outbreak of dengue fever, the authorities launched mosquito eradication and control measures on the island inhabited by 12,000-odd people.

 

“They started fogging and spraying of chemicals in stagnant waters since the second week of December. They also distributed mosquito nets to the inmates of the hospital. However,  in the last one week they have become lethargic again and the situation can turn bad,” said Mr K. Muhammed, joint convener of CPM at Minicoy.

 

Dr Hamsakoya, director, Medical and Health Services, Lakshadweep,  told DC on Monday that the number of dengue cases in Minicoy has been brought down to seven  now from 24 in the first week of this month.

 

“No new dengue case has also been reported in the past one- and-a-half weeks. We have  initiated measures to control larvae and adult mosquitoes,” he claimed.

 

However, Mr Muhammed said that patients were  contracting fever two-three times within one month. “The patients are being discharged even before they are cured because of the rush in  the hospital and they turn sick again and become carriers,” he said and added that  the residents were  also doubtful of proper diagnosis of dengue nowadays.

 

There are also allegations of doctors being slack in their approach. 

Mr M. Ibrahim, a resident, said that the Lakshadweep administrator visited the place  on Sunday. “They are not serious about tackling the issue. It is getting bad on other islands as well,” he said.