Over 23 per cent of susceptible population gets infected

Chennai: Dengue has generated much attention and debate, as well, but it appears to be rather difficult to manage this menace without collective efforts, it appears.

Although several Opposition parties including the DMK, BJP and even the PMK, in a rare show of social commitment, launched the preventive measures to help bring down the prevalence, as per an estimate 23 per cent of susceptible population in Chennai gets affected by dengue every year.

As per a study published in the PLOS journal: Hidden burden of Dengue in Chennai, in 2015, over 93 per cent of the population is affected. "Going by a conservative estimate let's assume that there is only one per cent of deaths, even then, there will be 2,880 deaths per year in Chennai alone. So, this is the reality. When people have already conducted a study and the conservative estimate is 2,880 as per the article, we need to devise appropriate measures to tackle the menace," claims Dr V. Pugazhenthi of Doctors for Safe Environment (Dose).

The household-based seroprevalence survey conducted among 1,010 individuals aged 5-40 years living in fifty randomly selected spatial locations in Chennai revealed that only 1% of participants reported history of dengue and 20% of chikungunya. It was found that 93% (95%CI 89-95%) of participants were seropositive to dengue virus, and 44% (95%CI 37-50%) to chikungunya. The researchers estimated that 23% of the susceptible population gets infected by dengue each year, corresponding to approximately 2,28,000 infections. This transmission intensity is significantly higher than that estimated in known hyperendemic settings in Southeast Asia and the Americas.

The facts presented in the study which was coauthored or involved by the Chennai corporation should be taken into account, Dr. Pugazhenthi said and added that going by the magnitude of the case, there is an increasing need to establish a molecular testing centre within the King's institute here. This is clearly evident as the central team which visited TN had sent the blood samples to Pune.

Dr Ramesh of Dose, says its difficult to control dengue as long as there are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Importance should be given to establish storm water drainages and preventing water logging.

CM appeals to create dengue-free healthy TN

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has appealed to people of the state to help build a dengue-free and healthy Tamil Nadu by joining the government’s efforts in combating the fever.

In a message released by the state health and family welfare department, the CM said the dengue causing mosquito breeds in fresh water and bites during the day. “So, keep the water stored at houses, closed to prevent the mosquitoes from breeding and also ensure the environment is clean and tidy,” he said and appealed to people to join hands with the government in eradicating Ades aegypti mosquitoes and prevent dengue and thus help build a healthy Tamil Nadu

He urged those with fever to immediately approach the 24 hours fever wards established at government hospitals where modern testing facilities have been provided and take proper treatment.