Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday noted that many poor people were affected by dengue as they were weakened due to low platelet count. “Many poor people are not diagnosed properly and their death goes unreported”, he said.
Stressing the need to ramp up dengue testing in Delhi, he stated that primary healthcare centres may prescribe anti-pyretic drugs to suppress the symptoms without addressing the root cause, resulting in eventual demise of the patient.
Dr. Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting to review the measures taken for control and management of dengue in Delhi.
“Since testing is the most important step to identifying dengue, these deaths will not be reported as such and the incidence will continue to be under-reported,” he observed and directed officials to ramp up testing so that all cases are reported and treated properly.
The Minister emphasised the need for effective coordination between the Centre and the States. He pointed out that some hospitals were overburdened with dengue cases while beds continued to be empty in other hospitals. Effective communication between all stakeholders was thus suggested as the way forward. He requested Delhi officials to look into the possibility of repurposing COVID-19 beds to treat dengue.
It was decided that health officials of the Union Health Ministry will support their counterparts in the Government of NCT of Delhi to chalk out a detailed action plan to combat dengue, according to a release issued by the Union Health Ministry.
Dr. Mandaviya advised all stakeholders to intensify vector control. Although the health administration had been effective in their communication on this, the efficacy of these messages on the action taken by common people remained unknown.
The Minister stressed the need for use of mosquito nets and full-sleeved clothing and regular indoor fogging. Other than removing stagnant water in houses, restaurants, industries and overhead tanks, there was the need to identify slums where water was stored for consumption. Although extensive cleaning was required in some surfaces where water got replaced frequently like coolers and refrigerator trays, the use of chemicals like Temephos granules was known to be effective in larvae control.
Notified disease
At the meeting, the Delhi Government officials disclosed that dengue had been declared a notified disease. This would enhance reporting and monitoring of the disease. All fever cases, suspected dengue cases and confirmed cases were being monitored. All hospitals have been converted to sites with zero tolerance of mosquitoes since vectors acquire the pathogen from infected persons and were able to transmit it in their offspring too. Mosquito nets would be provided to dengue patients, the officials informed.
Although only 10% cases are complicated and mortality seldom crosses 1%, the officials assured the Union Health Minister that the outbreak shall be contained with the help of all stakeholders. The meeting also discussed the new vaccines developed to target dengue.
Dr. Mandaviya instructed that States with high active caseload of dengue be identified and teams of experts sent there to ensure all support is offered to contain the situation.
