Do not overlook common symptoms such as fever, nausea, body ache and rash. In a season seeing an uptick in dengue and other vector-borne ailments, a doctor held out the warning at a recent doctors’ consultation-cum sensitisation session on prevention of dengue in BA Block.
“If anybody experiences these symptoms, it is extremely important to see a doctor, preferably within 48 hours,” said senior consultant in medicine Subhasis Ganguly.
He also dwelt on some preventive measures. While the total number of cases of this “dangerous health condition” is relatively low this year, there has been a sudden spurt in dengue positive cases in recent weeks.
“Residents should take enough precautions, especially for small children and the elderly, by using mosquito repellents and wearing full sleeves to minimise exposure,” said Dr Ganguly.
Rajesh Chirimar, member, mayor-in-council, and councillor of Ward 39, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, advised residents to keep the rooftops of garages and backyards clean.
“Please don’t keep discarded items in your backyard. If you do that, you will only facilitate mosquito-breeding. As a result, you will suffer and neighbours will suffer. The consequences could be deadly,” cautioned Chirimar, who also explained how construction of new buildings in the area was creating potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
“Last year, 70 per cent of the dengue cases reported occurred within a 200m radius of mosquito-breeding sites,” Chirimar said.
I had urged vendors in CA Market not to sell green coconuts as empty green coconut shells can hold water, thereby creating a conducive environment for mosquito breeding,” he said.
The initiative is aimed at removing potential mosquito-breeding sites and reducing the dengue risk in the area,” Chirimar said, adding that a little more awareness about what may result in dengue will go a long way in bringing down the number of dengue positive cases, and hence sufferings and deaths.
“I had my blood tested and ECG done and the doctors treated me pretty well,” said Gita Das, a resident.
The health camp and sensitisation session ran from 10.30am to 1.30pm, offering a comprehensive range of services to the residents. Health check-up services included blood tests for sugar, ECG (if prescribed by doctors), blood pressure, and weight check-up with a free consultation by doctors.
Both Alokendu Chatterjee and Baidyanath Kolay, co-chairmen, healthcare sub-committee, underscored the need for organising health check-up-cum awareness camps on a regular basis. “With many residents ageing in our block, there is need for extra attention for senior citizens,” Dr Kolay said.
