11/01/2020 - Health

KEY POINTS

·        The advent of a new tetravalent vaccine against the dengue virus has thrown new light into the evidence-based management of dengue.

·        This vaccine confers about 80% protection to children vaccinated between 4 and 16 years of age without any major side effects.

·        Apart from promoting the use of the vaccine, gaining control over dengue will also require a holistic approach that has to include within its ambit vector control and proper case management.

·        Urbanisation, poor town planning, and improper sanitation are the major risk factors for the multiplication of such mosquitoes. Aedes mosquitoes cannot fly beyond a hundred metres.

·        Hence, keeping the ambience clean can help prevent their breeding. Further, these mosquitoes bite during the daytime, so keeping the windows shut in the day hours is also useful.

Shortage of skilled manpower

·        Unfortunately, the number of skilled workers available for such measures is low; many posts in government departments remain vacant despite there being a dire public health need.

·        Due to this deficiency of manpower, active surveillance is not being done in India, says the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program.

·        There is a lack of coordination between the local bodies and health departments in the delivery of public health measures. A comprehensive mechanism is required to address these issues.

·        Fluid management is the cornerstone in the management of severe diseases like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.

Alternative medicine drugs

·        Finally, despite the adequate and well-formed guidelines for the management of dengue cases by the WHO and the Indian government, the usage of complementary medicines like Nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) and papaya leaf extract are rampant among the people. 

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