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Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/n...ow/4869284.cms
Dengue, malaria more fatal than swine flu
Kritika Banerjee, TNN 8 August 2009, 06:43am IST
JAIPUR: While the swine flu scare grips the city, doctors feel it is not the flu but common diseases like malaria and dengue which are the real
threat. Despite delayed monsoons, the incidences of both diseases have been relatively high in state.
"Of the total samples collected in the state, about 14,000 have tested positive for malaria," Dr B R Meena, additional director of health department said. In Jaipur city, 10 cases of special malaria (caused by plasmodium faciparum), and 244 cases of malaria (caused by plasmodium vivax) have been reported. About 50 dengue cases have been reported statewide.
"This is an alarming number. The pressure which the state is building on the doctors to check swine flu should instead be built for malaria and dengue. For one swine flu death, there are over 100 malarial deaths," Dr Vivek Sharma, senior child consultant at a private hospital said.
As compared to swine flu, dengue and malaria are far more fatal. Dengue has a mortality rate of about 5%-10%, whereas for swine flu it is 2%, Dr P P S Mathur, former vice-chancellor, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences said.
"In the past one month, about 30-35% of the total cases in our hospital have been tested positive for malaria, and this also includes a large number of children," Dr Verma said. According to sources, over 600 patients have been admitted for malaria till July at the SMS Hospital.
The complications and morbidity of dengue and malaria are more severe than swine flu. "In complicated cases, the patient may develop celebral malaria, which can cause neurological damage and may eventually lead to a person's death," Dr Mathur said.
Apart from dengue and malaria, other diseases such as chikunguniya and Japanese encephalitis or brain fever are also on the rise in the state. While 21 chikunguniya cases have been reported so far, two cases of encephalitis have been recently confirmed in the state by the health department.
"Brain fever is fatal and is contagious; therefore, it demands prompt government action to check the number of such incidences. The state and the health department officials should have a balanced approach, rather than concentrating on just swine flu," Dr Mathur said.
August and September witness the highest number of incidences in malaria and dengue. In urban areas, standing water in water coolers is one of the most common breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which cause dengue. Against the general misconception, dengue mosquitoes do not breed in dirty pond water but fresh water.
The mosquito commonly called tiger mosquito' usually bites on the leg. "We advice children to cover their legs while sitting in parks or gardens," Dr Verma said.
Mosquito sprays and drainage cleaning are some of the ways to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes causing malaria. The state too, has completed the first round of its regular checking, and has identified some of the malaria-prone districts like Hanumangarh, Sanganer.
Mosquito breeding can be controlled with biological, chemical and heath education measures. "Under the biological, gambuji fish (popularly known as larvae-bhukhi) is used to destroy the larvae of mosquitoes in the small ponds and wells. DDT sprays can also help in checking the mosquito breeding, and is especially helpful in urban areas. This apart, education on health and sanitation can check the rising incidences of malaria and dengue," Dr Meena said.
Dengue, malaria more fatal than swine flu
Kritika Banerjee, TNN 8 August 2009, 06:43am IST
JAIPUR: While the swine flu scare grips the city, doctors feel it is not the flu but common diseases like malaria and dengue which are the real
threat. Despite delayed monsoons, the incidences of both diseases have been relatively high in state.
"Of the total samples collected in the state, about 14,000 have tested positive for malaria," Dr B R Meena, additional director of health department said. In Jaipur city, 10 cases of special malaria (caused by plasmodium faciparum), and 244 cases of malaria (caused by plasmodium vivax) have been reported. About 50 dengue cases have been reported statewide.
"This is an alarming number. The pressure which the state is building on the doctors to check swine flu should instead be built for malaria and dengue. For one swine flu death, there are over 100 malarial deaths," Dr Vivek Sharma, senior child consultant at a private hospital said.
As compared to swine flu, dengue and malaria are far more fatal. Dengue has a mortality rate of about 5%-10%, whereas for swine flu it is 2%, Dr P P S Mathur, former vice-chancellor, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences said.
"In the past one month, about 30-35% of the total cases in our hospital have been tested positive for malaria, and this also includes a large number of children," Dr Verma said. According to sources, over 600 patients have been admitted for malaria till July at the SMS Hospital.
The complications and morbidity of dengue and malaria are more severe than swine flu. "In complicated cases, the patient may develop celebral malaria, which can cause neurological damage and may eventually lead to a person's death," Dr Mathur said.
Apart from dengue and malaria, other diseases such as chikunguniya and Japanese encephalitis or brain fever are also on the rise in the state. While 21 chikunguniya cases have been reported so far, two cases of encephalitis have been recently confirmed in the state by the health department.
"Brain fever is fatal and is contagious; therefore, it demands prompt government action to check the number of such incidences. The state and the health department officials should have a balanced approach, rather than concentrating on just swine flu," Dr Mathur said.
August and September witness the highest number of incidences in malaria and dengue. In urban areas, standing water in water coolers is one of the most common breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which cause dengue. Against the general misconception, dengue mosquitoes do not breed in dirty pond water but fresh water.
The mosquito commonly called tiger mosquito' usually bites on the leg. "We advice children to cover their legs while sitting in parks or gardens," Dr Verma said.
Mosquito sprays and drainage cleaning are some of the ways to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes causing malaria. The state too, has completed the first round of its regular checking, and has identified some of the malaria-prone districts like Hanumangarh, Sanganer.
Mosquito breeding can be controlled with biological, chemical and heath education measures. "Under the biological, gambuji fish (popularly known as larvae-bhukhi) is used to destroy the larvae of mosquitoes in the small ponds and wells. DDT sprays can also help in checking the mosquito breeding, and is especially helpful in urban areas. This apart, education on health and sanitation can check the rising incidences of malaria and dengue," Dr Meena said.