AdvertisementNagpur: The Nagpur division faces an escalated threat of dengue outbreak following persistent unseasonal rainfall over the past fortnight.
Despite no reported deaths, the region has witnessed 131 dengue cases from January to March across five districts, signifying a concerning rise in vector-borne diseases.
The prevalence of dengue in Nagpur is attributed to its urban nature, with the carrier mosquito, ‘Aedes aegypti’, thriving in clean water sources.
Official data reveals over 2,600 cases of fever across Nagpur, Wardha, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara, and Gondia in the stated period.
The surge in dengue cases amidst unseasonal rainfall underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to combat vector-borne diseases in Nagpur division.
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Nagpur: The Nagpur division faces an escalated threat of dengue outbreak following persistent unseasonal rainfall over the past fortnight. Despite no reported deaths, the region has witnessed 131 dengue cases from January to March across five districts, signifying a concerning rise in vector-borne diseases. The prevalence of dengue in Nagpur is attributed to its urban nature, with the carrier mosquito, ‘Aedes aegypti’, thriving in clean water sources.
Official data reveals over 2,600 cases of fever across Nagpur, Wardha, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara, and Gondia in the stated period. Among these, 131 cases tested positive for dengue, with Chandrapur and Wardha registering the highest incidences at 44 and 35 cases, respectively. Notably, Gadchiroli, known for malaria, reported 19 cases of dengue, perplexing health officials.
A survey conducted by the Assistant Director of Health Services (ADHS) identified Hinganghat block in Wardha and Sironcha block in Gadchiroli as hotspots for dengue transmission. Breeding sites were predominantly found in large potable water containers, including plastic drums and cement tanks, often left exposed to facilitate mosquito breeding. This highlights the critical role of water management in curbing dengue propagation.
Discrepancies between reported fever cases and confirmed dengue instances pose diagnostic challenges. Private practitioners often initiate dengue treatment pre-emptively, using NS-1 antigen kits, leading to inflated case counts. Moreover, concerns over sample preservation for confirmatory tests have been raised, underscoring the need for stringent diagnostic protocols.
In response to the looming threat, health authorities in Nagpur have intensified container surveys and door-to-door inspections, particularly in rural areas, to mitigate water contamination risks exacerbated by unseasonal rains. These proactive measures aim to curb mosquito breeding and pre-empt further dengue outbreaks.
The surge in dengue cases amidst unseasonal rainfall underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to combat vector-borne diseases in Nagpur division. Enhanced surveillance, robust diagnostic protocols, and community engagement are vital in mitigating the impact of dengue outbreaks and safeguarding public health.
