Kukil Sakiya ( Guwahati): 27 Sept.2024
Assam is facing a serious increase in dengue cases, with over 1,000 reported so far this year. More than 800 of these cases have been confirmed between July and September 24, 2024.
In detail, there were around 214 cases in July, about 293 in August, and nearly 336 in September. Dima Hasao has the highest number of cases, with 360, followed by Jorhat with 73 and Kamrup Metropolitan with 72.
Certain areas in Kamrup Metropolitan, such as Bhaskar Nagar, Geetanagar, and parts of RG Baruah Road, have been marked as the most affected. The east zone of the district has reported 47 cases, while the capital zone has 11, the south zone has 8, and both the west zone and Sonapur block have 3 cases each. In total, around 12 areas have been identified as dengue hotspots.
All districts in Assam have reported dengue cases this year, except for South Salmara-Mankachar and Tamulpur. Thankfully, there have been no deaths from dengue in the state so far.
To combat the outbreak, the Assam health department is taking action. They are working on reducing mosquito breeding by using domestic breeding checkers, releasing Guppy fish, and conducting fogging. They are also running mass awareness programs. A team has been sent to Dima Hasao to help manage the situation.
Dengue is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. People who get infected a second time are at higher risk of severe illness. Symptoms include high fever, headaches, rashes, and muscle and joint pain. In severe cases, there can be serious bleeding and shock, which can be life-threatening. Treatment usually involves fluids and pain relievers.