Kolkata: Wet & dry spells may push up vector-borne diseases, fear doctors – Times of India

Kolkata News

KOLKATA: City hospitals have seen a rise in the number of patients with vector-borne diseases, which, healthcare experts feel, could spiral further with intermittent rain and sunshine allowing water to accumulate and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
They apprehend that the number of dengue and malaria patients could shoot up in next three to four weeks.
A few days ago, dengue had claimed life of a 19-year-old boy, the first death this year, in Kolkata. The state health department has collected some samples for sero-typing to know the strain of dengue in circulation. “Continuous rain does not allow mosquito larvae to settle. But stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The Aedes aegypti, whose sting causes dengue, needs a little over an inch-deep clean water to breed. Now, this intermittent rain with sunshine in between and cooler temperature will only help in breeding,” said Belle Vue medicine consultant Rahul Jain.
Among those admitted to this Minto Park hospital is a 25-year-old from a posh locality in Kolkata. The hospital is currently getting about two patients daily who need admission. “There is a gradual rise in the number affected by mosquito-borne diseases,” said Belle Vue Clinic CEO Pradip Tondon.
Hospitals last year hardly came across dengue or malaria cases. “Stagnant water in potted plants could be breeding zones. Some mosquitoes can also cause chikungunya,” said Fortis Hospital internal medicine specialist Dibyendu Mukherjee, who is also a professor of medicine at KPC Medical College.
“We have five dengue patients admitted daily now, which was not the case even three weeks ago,” said Subhasish Datta chief general manager (operations) at Ruby Hospital.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/wet-dry-spells-may-push-up-vector-borne-diseases-fear-doctors/articleshow/86538283.cms