By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 31: So far all the patients who were undergoing treatment in Assam for dengue had gone outside the State for work where they had contracted the dengue virus. But State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that the Aedes mosquito, which transmits the dengue virus, had started breeding in Assam and was spreading the virus.

Talking to mediapersons, the Health Minister said, “We have to create awareness among people. At the same time, coordinated efforts on the part of local bodies and district administration are needed to check the spread of dengue. Steps are being taken to clean drains and clear all garbage.”

As per latest figures, 43 patients suspected to be suffering from dengue fever have been admitted in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Four out of the 43 patients are children. Out of these, six patients have tested positive so far.

While the State Health Minister may claim that precautionary measures are being taken to check the spread of dengue, drains in Guwahati have not been cleaned and even garbage is not cleared on a regular basis. Fogging and spraying operations have also not been intensified. If this is the situation in the capital city, how does the Health Department expect to check the spread of dengue in other parts of the State? Why did the Health Department take so long to spring into action? Why were precautionary measures not taken when the first few cases of dengue were confirmed?

Symptoms of dengue fever
*    Sudden, high fever
*    Severe headache
*    Pain behind the eyes
*     Severe joint and muscle pain
*    Nausea
*    Vomiting
*    Skin rash, which appears three to four days after the onset of fever
*    Mild bleeding (such a nose bleed, bleeding gums, or easy bruising)
*     Loss of appetite
    A more severe form of dengue is the dengue hemorrhagic fever. This is accompanied by all symptoms of dengue and the following conditions as well:
*    Significant damage to blood vessels and lymph
*    Decrease in the platelet count of the blood
*    Bleeding from gums, nose, mouth
*    Bleeding under the skin which looks like bruising

Dengue fever precautions
Avoiding mosquitoes bite is the major precaution against dengue fever. People should take following necessary precautions to combat dengue fever.
*        Keep home, environment and surroundings clean
*       Remove all stagnant water and containers
*      Keep all drains well maintained and repair all chokes
*       Avoid accumulation of ground water
*       Don’t store water
*       Change flower vase water once a week to prevent dengue mosquito breeding there
*    Wrap all unused plastic tyres
*       Use mosquito repellents to avoid mosquito bite
*     Use mosquito nets and mosquito coils
*     Wear long sleeve and fully covered clothes