The health officials reported on Sunday the first death caused by dengue fever in Andhra Pradesh. Several other cases are being reported from different parts of the state.
Venkateswara Rao, director (medical and health) confirmed the death of the person from Puttaparthi in Anantapur district. Two cases in Hyderabad, one in Khammam and one in Srikakulam districts are confirmed dengue cases.Unofficial reports from different parts of the state make a total of 6 cases, however, authorities said that they were not dengue cases. Though dozens of people probably affected by dengue fever were admitted to several hospitals in Hyderabad and other districts, the health officials deny them to be dengue cases. According to them, most of them were suffering from a viral fever that is prevalent during this time of the year.
A virus that is transmitted by the bite of female Aedes mosquito causes dengue. Dengue has been occurring frequently in recent years in India, particularly, during the post-monsoon season.
To manage the mosquito menace and check the situation, a task force has been formed consisting of officials of various departments and is leaded by the principal secretary (health). The anti-larval operations have been increased by the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad after 2 confirmed cases and 18 other suspected cases of dengue were reported here. To prevent vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, viral fever and Japanese encephalitis, nearly, 1,000 workers are deployed in fogging operations.
Eradication of both vector-borne and water-borne diseases in the state is to be achieved through a three-year sustained programme to be carried out by the health officials under the direction of the Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.
Last year, 99 confirmed dengue cases and 2 deaths were reported in the state say the state health officials. Though 80,000 cases of chikungunya have been reported in the state in the last 6 months, not a single case of death due to this viral fever has been reported so far.
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GYT
