6 Kalamassery Municipality officials contract dengue as cases rise

Kochi: At least six officials, including the superintendent, have contracted dengue in the Kalamassery municipality office. Dengue fever is spreading in various places within the municipality area. The number of people seeking treatment for symptoms is also increasing.

It is believed that stagnant water left after the initial stage of rain may have caused the spread of dengue. The Department of Health stated that preventive measures have been strengthened.

What is Dengue fever?

Dengue fever is a disease caused by the dengue virus, which is spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. These mosquitoes breed in stagnant fresh water. Dengue fever is transmitted from one person to another only through mosquitoes.

Symptoms

Dengue is a disease that affects adults and children alike. Dengue fever is often diagnosed late because its symptoms are not different from normal viral fever. The onset is marked by a sudden high fever. Initially, symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sore throat, and slight cough appear. All these symptoms are similar to the common flu. Pain behind the eyes is characteristic of dengue fever.

Care to prevent the disease from being serious

Early professional treatment should be sought due to the possibility of a sudden drop in blood platelets.

Drink plenty of fluids

Drink plenty of fluids even if the fever is slight, considering the possibility of dengue. Seek specialist treatment in a hospital as soon as possible after administering antipyretic medicine. Do not self-treat any fever as it can be contagious.

Prevention is better than cure

The best protection against dengue fever is to avoid mosquitoes. Therefore, special care should be taken to prevent stagnant water inside and around buildings such as houses and institutions. Indoors, mosquitoes are likely to lay their eggs in containers with standing water under flower pots and in trays with standing water under the fridge. Clean them at least once a week. Keep water containers and tanks closed. People with fever should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.