MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a special campaign to spread awareness about mosquito control measures, to combat the sudden spurt in mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. In the first half of July itself, the city witnessed an increase in cases of dengue, leptospirosis and H1N1 cases, compared to June 2024, as per the monsoon report released by the BMC on Tuesday.
Dengue cases, especially, have seen a spike, with 165 cases reported between July 1 and July 15, as compared to just 93 in June. Similarly, leptospirosis cases have also risen – 52 as against 28 in June. While, H1N1 flu cases have jumped from 10 in June to 53 in the first half of July.
In response, BMC has launched the ‘Bhag Machchar Bhag’ campaign, promoting mosquito control measures through short films and messages by celebrities from the Marathi and Hindi film industries. The civic body has also requested citizens to take steps to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, use mosquito nets, and wear protective clothing.
Dengue: How To Stop The Spread?
Dengue fever is a viral infection carried by mosquitoes that shows symptoms similar to the flu and can become very severe. The Aedes mosquito is the main carrier of this virus, commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas, especially during the rainy season.
Symptoms and Risks
Dengue symptoms are high fever, intense headaches, joint and muscle pain, skin rashes, and light bleeding. If it worsens, dengue can turn into dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS), which are serious and need immediate care.
How to Prevent It
- Control Mosquitoes: The best way to stop dengue is to control mosquitoes. Remove standing water around your home, use mosquito repellent, and wear clothing that covers your body to prevent bites.
- Community Efforts: The community must help to stop dengue outbreaks. Teach people the importance of keeping their environment clean and taking steps to remove mosquito breeding spots.
- Quick Detection and Treatment: Early diagnosis and fast medical care are crucial. Treating dengue early can stop it from becoming severe and reduce complications.
Stopping dengue requires everyone to play a part. Individuals must be careful, communities should act together, governments need to support, and countries must collaborate. By taking preventive steps, raising awareness, and supporting research, we can fight dengue and keep people around the world healthy.