Five hospitals in one Indian state have been ordered to reserve beds for dengue fever patients after the number of cases more than quadrupled in just a week
Mosquitoes carry a number of diseases, including dengue, and the number of cases increases during the monsoon season(
Five hospitals in an Indian state have been forced to keep beds free for dengue patients after a shocking rise in cases. Nearly 11,000 people are battling the disease in Karnataka, which borders holiday destination Goa, popular with some 150,000 British tourists a year.
Karnataka, with its abundance of beautiful beach resorts, attracts holidaymakers from all over the world. When the number of dengue cases reached 10,973, the local health department ordered four medical institutions to make arrangements to help those struggling with the mosquito-borne disease.
Even in the beautiful district of Goa, an increase in the number of dengue cases has been reported in the last two years.
Stressing the urgency of managing the influx of cases, D Randeep, Commissioner, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said, “Given the increase in dengue cases in the state and in Bengaluru city, effective management of moderate and severe cases is crucial to prevent dengue deaths. Therefore, a specific number of beds will be reserved for management of dengue patients.”
Goa and the west coast of India are a major travel destination for British tourists(
Currently, there are 3,133 active cases in the state, including 535 hospitalised patients and six in Intensive Care Units. The curtailment has been extended to KC General Hospital, CV Raman Hospital, GH Jayanagara Hospital, Taluka Hospital in Yelahanka and KR Puram, all under orders to allocate space for dengue patients, Birmingham Live reports.
These special arrangements extend the measures already in place in community hospitals. The Karnataka government has taken strict action against mosquito breeding sites and is warning the public about the potential risks.
In view of the ongoing ordeal, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao advised locals to use mosquito repellents, discard stagnant water and seek immediate medical attention if any symptoms appear.
Scientist holds a vial containing an antigen for the dengue virus used in pharmaceutical research(
Dengue, a viral infection transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and to a lesser extent by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, is common in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
The British Foreign Office warns: “Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya occur all year round, but are more widespread during the monsoon season.”
In India, the monsoon season generally lasts from June to September.
Symptoms of dengue
Dengue symptoms usually begin 4 to 10 days after you are bitten by an infected mosquito and can last 2 to 7 days. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:
- High fever : Sudden high fever, often reaching 104°F (40°C).
- Severe headache : Severe pain, especially behind the eyes.
- Pain in muscles and joints : Severe muscle and joint pain, which is why it was nicknamed “lumpy fever”.
- Nausea and vomiting : Feelings of nausea and vomiting.
- Skin rash : A rash that may appear 2 to 5 days after the onset of fever and can sometimes cover most of the body.
- Fatigue : Severe fatigue and general weakness.
- Pain behind the eyes : Severe pain in the area behind the eyes.
- Swollen glands : Lymphadenopathy or swelling of the lymph nodes.
In some cases, dengue can develop into more severe forms, such as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS), which are life-threatening. Symptoms of severe dengue include:
- Severe abdominal pain : Severe pain in the stomach area.
- Persistent vomiting : Vomiting that doesn’t stop.
- Bleed : Bleeding from the gums, nose or under the skin, which may appear as bruising.
- Blood in vomit or stool : Signs of internal bleeding, such as blood in vomit or stool.
- Breathing fast : Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing.
- Fatigue and restlessness : Severe tiredness, irritability or restlessness.
