Dengue is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. The mosquito gets the virus by bitting an infected person. There is no way to tell if a mosquito is carrying the dengue virus. Therefore, people must protect themselves from all mosquito bites.All control efforts should be directed against the mosquitoes. It is important to take control measures to eliminate the mosquitoes and their breeding places. Efforts should be intensified before the transmission season (during & after the rainy season) and during epidemics.

1. Prevent mosquito bites :

(a) Dengue Mosquitoes Bite during the daytime - protect yourself from the bite.

(b) Wear full sleeve cloths and long dresses to cover the limbs.

(c) Use repellents - care should be taken in using repellents on young children and elders.

(d) Use mosquito coils and electric vapour mats during the daytime to prevent dengue.

(e) Use mosquito nets to protect babies., old people and others who may rest during the day. The effectiveness of such nets can be improved by treating them with permethrine (Pyrethroid insecticide). Curtains (Cloth or Bamboo) can also be treated with insecticide and hung at windows or doorways, to repel or kill mosquitoes.

(f) Break the cycle of mosquito - human - mosquito infection. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite people who are sick with dengue. Mosquito nets and coils will effectively prevent more mosquitoes from bitting sick people and help stop the spread of dengue.

(g) To tighten all water containers regularly.

(h) Prevention of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes breeding by emptying of household water containers at least once in a week.

2. Prevent the multiplication of mosquitoes :

Mosquitoes which spread dengue live and breed in stagnant water in and around house.

(a) drain out th water from desert / window air coolers (when not in use), tanks, barrels, drums, buckets etc.

(b) Remove all objects containing water (e.g. plant saucers, etc.) from the house.

(c) All stored water containers should be kept covered all times.

(d) Collect and destroy discarded containers in which water collect, e.g. bottles, plastic bags, tins, tyres etc.

CHIKUNGUNYA FEVER

No vaccine is available for prevention of CHK. So measures for prevention and control are the avoidance of mosquito bites and reduction in density of vector.

The treatment of patient is symptomatic particularly by anti inflammatory drugs. The steroids are not to be used in treatment.

INVESTIGATION OF AN OUTBREAK OF CHK FEVER

The investigation of an outbreak of CHK fever is similar to the investigation of other epidemic prone diseases. The first principal is to receive early signals, confirm diagnosis & to take prompt measures for control of the outbreak. Control measures are most effective when selective measures are applied early.

Line list of cases, including age, sex & address and other details should be maintained and reported to District Health Authority and above. Active search should be made for more cases. Serum samples should be collected for laboratory confirmation of disease.

Vector Surveillance should be immediately initiated and should include collection of adult mosquitoes, identification of mosquito species and density, assessment of susceptibility of vectors to available insecticides.

Arrange Health Educational activities in the community regarding prevention of mosquito bites by use of mosquito nets and mosquito repellent creams & mosquito breeding places, by drying out water containers at least once a week, treatment of abate once in a week in the water container, fogging of pyrathrum extract inside the houses, wearing of protective clothing & reporting suspected cases at the Health facilities early.

On confirmation of an outbreak of CHK, take precautionary measures in other neighboring high risk areas.