Almost 2,000 Mumbai residents were hospitalised with suspected dengue fever in the beginning of October, amidst the withdrawal of monsoon rains. The first fifteen days of October marked a slight spike in cases of suspected dengue fever compared to the same period in September. In total, 1,970 suspected dengue fever cases have been reported in […]
Mosquito
Kejriwal touts progress tackling cases of dengue fever
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has touted progress made by the state government in controlling cases of dengue fever in the national capital. Compared to last year, cases have almost been halved with a reduction from 830 to 467. Cases have spiked, however, in the past two months. 190 cases of dengue fever were reported […]
Jaipur issues penalties for mosquito breeding
Rajasthan state capital Jaipur is taking a hard line in its efforts to control mosquito-borne diseases, imposing fines against those who allow for breeding sites on their property. At the time of writing, 141 homeowners in the city have been served with challans within a one-month period for failing to deal with breeding sites on […]
Domestic dengue vaccine could be available in 2020
There may be renewed hope of combating dengue fever amongst reports of cases spiking over recent weeks. A domestically produced dengue fever vaccine may be made available in 2020. The dengue vaccination will be introduced in India early next year. This rollout of the vaccine will only be partial, however. A senior official of the […]
‘Our legacy to future generations’: India and a malaria-free world
India will prioritise the eradication of malaria on its public health agenda, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has announced on the heels of a landmark report by experts which proclaims that a malaria-free world by 2050 is attainable – if a bold approach is undertaken. “We are working towards ending malaria as soon as […]
Dengue data: Government claims versus reality
Is India mishandling its dengue data concerning deaths from the disease? The latest report by The Lancet claims there is a mismatch between the numbers from its study and the ones reported by India to the World Health Organization (WHO). The mosquito-borne tropical disease – which the WHO considers the world’s fastest-growing mosquito-borne disease and […]
Mobilising people to fight vector-borne diseases in Delhi
“Probably for the first time, the Centre, state and all local bodies will put together their efforts to mobilise the community for a public health activity,” said Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, as he announced a three-day campaign in Delhi beginning this week to increase public awareness of vector-borne diseases yesterday. Amidst the monsoon […]
West Nile virus in Kerala’s Thrissur?
Kerala’s Thrissur district is on an alert following new reports of infections with the West Nile virus. Two individuals have been diagnosed with the West Nile virus and encephalitis in the past fortnight, according to district medical officer (DMO) Dr K. J. Reena, who has announced efforts to contain the diseases. Both individuals are receiving […]
Monsoon season: Delhi prepares for mosquito-borne diseases
The monsoon season brings with it mosquitoes. The mosquitoes bring with them diseases. And Delhi is committed to making sure they are kept under control before the arrival of the first showers . In a meeting with municipal corporation and hospital officials, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it is important that preventive action is taken […]
Dengue fever: Strict action against negligent doctors in Kolkata
Kolkata medicos will face strict action if they do not adhere to guidelines outlining the proper treatment of dengue fever. A meeting between the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and personnel from government-run hospitals in the city emphasised the importance of following dengue treatment protocols devised in 2017. Atin Ghosh, Kolkata’s Deputy Mayor, pledged action against […]