PUNE: Health experts expect a rise in dengue cases in the city in view of on-and-off rainfall over the next 10 days.
Infectious disease expert with Noble Hospital Dr Ameet Dravid told TOI, “There is already an uptick in dengue cases. We are seeing ideal mosquito-breeding conditions now, with wastewater puddles and constructions in many parts of the city, especially the suburbs.”
He said dengue has four serotypes, so a person can get infected as many as four times in a lifetime. “Infection from one serotype provides immunity against only that serotype. All four serotypes are prevalent in India,” Dr David said.
“The second infection may, however, be more serious than the first, because the existing antibodies from the previous infection can create a severe immune reaction in such a case. In the absence of a vaccine against dengue in India, people have to be precautious,”he added.
Dr Rahul Patil, consulting physician with Dr DY Patil Hospital, said, “I recently treated nine dengue cases from a single residential society close to a construction site in Moshi. We expect cases to rise further. Stagnant water allows mosquitoes to reproduce rapidly.”
“A female mosquito can lay several hundred eggs during her lifespan, and the entire life cycle from egg to adult mosquito can be completed in as little as a week, depending on temperature and other factors. If the mosquito population in an area is high, there is an increased risk of dengue transmission”, he added.
Dr Patil said headache, fever, severe body ache and pain behind the eyes are classic dengue symptoms.
Prevention efforts, such as mosquito control and avoiding mosquito bites, are crucial in reducing the risk of dengue infection, he added.
Infectious disease expert with Noble Hospital Dr Ameet Dravid told TOI, “There is already an uptick in dengue cases. We are seeing ideal mosquito-breeding conditions now, with wastewater puddles and constructions in many parts of the city, especially the suburbs.”
He said dengue has four serotypes, so a person can get infected as many as four times in a lifetime. “Infection from one serotype provides immunity against only that serotype. All four serotypes are prevalent in India,” Dr David said.
“The second infection may, however, be more serious than the first, because the existing antibodies from the previous infection can create a severe immune reaction in such a case. In the absence of a vaccine against dengue in India, people have to be precautious,”he added.
Dr Rahul Patil, consulting physician with Dr DY Patil Hospital, said, “I recently treated nine dengue cases from a single residential society close to a construction site in Moshi. We expect cases to rise further. Stagnant water allows mosquitoes to reproduce rapidly.”
“A female mosquito can lay several hundred eggs during her lifespan, and the entire life cycle from egg to adult mosquito can be completed in as little as a week, depending on temperature and other factors. If the mosquito population in an area is high, there is an increased risk of dengue transmission”, he added.
Dr Patil said headache, fever, severe body ache and pain behind the eyes are classic dengue symptoms.
Prevention efforts, such as mosquito control and avoiding mosquito bites, are crucial in reducing the risk of dengue infection, he added.
