Gadwal marked National Dengue Day with a strong message on disease prevention. Dr. S.K. Siddappa, the District Medical and Health Officer, launched a public rally to raise awareness. The event started at the Old DMHO Office and moved through Gandhi Chowk, the Old Bus Stand, and other busy streets. People marched with banners and chanted slogans to educate the community about dengue.
Speaking to the crowd, Dr. Siddappa stressed that stopping dengue starts at home. He explained that the disease spreads through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito is most active during the day and often bites several people, making it easy for the virus to infect entire families.
He urged everyone to take action. “Keep your surroundings clean. Don’t let water collect near your homes,” he said. “This is the only way to stop mosquitoes from breeding.”
The rally included health staff, Urban Health Center supervisors, and ASHA workers, all working under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program.
Here are the key points from the awareness campaign:
What Causes Dengue?
Dengue spreads when the Aedes aegypti mosquito bites a person and injects the arbovirus into their blood. These mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters and can infect many people in a short time.
How to Prevent Dengue:
– Remove stagnant water around homes.
– Clean water containers weekly and dry them out—especially on ‘Dry Day Friday’.
– Wear clothes that cover the arms and legs.
– Use mosquito repellents indoors, even during the day.
– Sleep under mosquito nets.
– Install screens on doors and windows.
– Dispose of items like old tires, plastic containers, coconut shells, and broken pots that collect rainwater.
– Clean coolers and flower pots regularly.
Common Dengue Symptoms:
– Sudden high fever
– Severe headaches
– Pain behind the eyes
– Vomiting and diarrhea
– Muscle and joint pain
– Skin rashes
– Bleeding gums
Anyone showing these signs should seek immediate medical help.
Who Is Most at Risk?
– Infants and children
– Pregnant women
– Elderly people
– Those with weak immune systems
Treatment and Recovery:
Most dengue cases go away in about a week. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms. Doctors recommend:
– Paracetamol for fever
– Lots of fluids like ORS, coconut water, buttermilk, and fruit juices
– Cooling the body with wet cloths
Important tip: Not all fevers mean dengue. Also, 99% of dengue cases are not fatal.
How to Confirm Dengue:
Free blood tests using IgM ELISA and NS1 ELISA are available at the Government District Hospital in Gadwal. Only ELISA-based tests can accurately confirm dengue.
Controlling Mosquito Breeding:
Mosquitoes grow from eggs to adults in just one week in stagnant water. By cleaning water sources weekly, the mosquito life cycle can be broken.
The event ended with a strong message: Community involvement is the best defense against dengue. Everyone must stay alert and take simple steps to keep their homes and neighborhoods mosquito-free.
