Rising dengue and malaria cases prompt health experts to call for enhanced surveillance
Swapnil R Mishra
Mumbai
Nearly two dengue and malaria-related deaths are being recorded across Maharashtra every month this year, according to the data provided by the state health department. Moreover, there was also a surge in cases related to water-borne diseases during the same period. However, health experts have attributed this to several factors including excess rains, and ongoing construction sites.
“We have come across five cases of malaria plasmodium vivax and all tested positive during the rapid antigen tests. This indicates a rise in all vector-borne cases in the city, highlighting the need to intensify the control measures and surveillance. However, all the patients were mild symptomatic and recovered,” said doctors.
Malaria mostly spreads to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms can be mild or life-threatening in rare cases and high-risk patients. Mild symptoms include fever, chills and headache. Severe symptoms include fatigue, confusion, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
Another doctor on anonymity, said, as many as three cases of malaria have been reported since September at our hospital and the patients complained of symptoms like fever, fatigue, headache and chills.
“There has been a definite increase in the number of dengue and chikungunya cases this year. Our college has taken several measures to raise awareness and prevent these vector-borne diseases,” said a senior health officer.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the dengue-causing virus is spiking. On the occasion of World Mosquito Day (August 20), it said close to over 6 million cases and more than 7,000 dengue-related deaths were reported in over 80 countries and territories in 2023.
Meanwhile, infectious disease consultants believe that the increase in the number of cases of malaria and dengue was majorly due to the increase in rainfall. “I saw around two to three dengue patients and one or two malaria patients daily,” he said. “As we always state, the basic precautions to be taken are the use of mosquito nets, mosquito creams like Odomos and mosquito spray.”
Dr Madhukar Gaikwad, consultant physician said that a single Zika virus case ought not to be a prime concern at the moment. “But we should be wary about the fact that this virus exists and take precautions just as mentioned for malaria and dengue—keep as far away from mosquitoes as possible,” he said.
According to the World Health Organization, one of the main reasons for the increase in vector-borne diseases is climate change. However, doctors have stated that the number of cases has peaked and is expected to decrease once winter begins. “Cases of chikungunya and dengue are likely to come down,” said the expert.
However, It is usually observed that mosquito breeding increases when the rains start receding. “Mosquitoes do not breed during heavy rain, so we always see a spike in malaria and dengue cases once the rains lessen.” the last week of August to mid-October,” she said. “To keep all these diseases at bay, avoid mosquito bites and wear light-coloured full-sleeved clothes.”
