Maharashtra’s Thane district has been battling heavy rainfall in recent weeks, causing floods and leaving it vulnerable to the spread of water-borne disease. To guard against such infections, officials have been distributing medicines – an effort which has reached more than 60,000 people. The state has been beleaguered by intense flooding amidst heavy monsoon rainfall. […]
vector-borne disease
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 […]
Heavy flooding continues to ravage India
Amidst the heavy flooding plaguing eastern and northern India, a tiger displaced from Assam’s flood-ravaged Kaziranga National Park sought refuge in a nearby house – much to the shock of residents. The tiger fled the park where 92 animals have drowned. Many are still trapped by the floodwaters. In a viral photo shared by an […]
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 […]
Encephalitis is not just an issue in Bihar
When it comes to encephalitis, the eyes of India have largely focused on Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district where more than 140 children are believed to have lost their lives to the condition. However, over the course of recent weeks, reports of potential outbreaks have poured in from other parts of Bihar – and from other states. […]
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 […]
Feeding mosquitoes sugar makes them less likely to bite – but don’t go leaving out sugary treats just yet
By Richard Halfpenny, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, Staffordshire University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The teasing temptation of a sugary treat can often get the better of us. But don’t worry, we’re not the only ones. The saccharine substance that our sweet tooth finds […]
As monsoon season looms, hospitals prepare for dengue cases
With the summer upon us, India’s monsoon season is looming and, with it, the prospect of outbreaks of mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever. In preparation, the Union Health Ministry is calling on government-run hospitals to set up dedicated centres on their grounds for the treatment of dengue cases. “As rising temperatures and natural […]