OUTBREAK OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(DENGUE, MALARIA AND CHIKUNGUNYA)
There has been an outbreak of infectious diseases like Dengue, Malaria and Chikungunya, in different parts of the country, mainly caused by mosquito bite.
Though this has not been reported as an epidemic, large number of people are falling sick due to these diseases.
All these diseases start with fever, only a clinician and laboratory investigations can diagnose these diseases.
Following are the characteristics of theses Three diseases
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Malaria |
Dengue |
Chikungunya fever |
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What is it? |
Infectious disease caused by the parasite called Plasmodia. (P.vivax and P.falciparum are more common) |
It is an acute viral fever occurring in two forms Caused by Dengue virus |
It is an acute viral fever caused by the Chikungunya virus |
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Mode of spread |
Bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito. (Night biter) |
Bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. (Day biter) |
Bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. (Day biter) |
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Onset of symptoms |
§ 8-12 days after bite of infected mosquito |
§ 2-5 days after bite of infected mosquito |
§ 3-12 days after bite of infected mosquito |
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Symptoms |
§ Fever recurring every 2 days § Chills § Headache, muscle ache § Tiredness § Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur § Jaundice(Yellow colouring of skin and eyes) |
§ High fever § Severe headache § Pain behind the eye § Severe joint and muscle pain § Nausea and vomiting § Rash § In haemorrhagic dengue, there is damage to blood, lymph vessels, bleeding from nose, gums or under skin |
§ High fever of sudden onset § Headache § Joint pain and/or swelling of joints § Nausea and vomiting § Infection of conjunctiva of eye and sensitivity to light § Rarely rash |
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Complications |
§ Commonly seen in P. falciparum infection. § Cerebral malaria (affecting the brain), bleeding disorders, jaundice, kidney failure, respiratory distress and death. |
§ Bleeding disorders leading to bleeding from the nose, mouth and gums or skin bruising § Very low blood pressure leading to shock |
§ Life-threatening complications are rare § Can affect the brain in new-born children |
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Diagnosis |
§ Based on Clinical features and Peripheral blood smear § Negative blood test DOES NOT rule out malaria |
§ Based on Clinical features § Laboratory tests such as Serology and PCR are used to confirm diagnosis. |
§ Based on Clinical features § Laboratory tests such as Serology and IgM antibody are used to confirm diagnosis. |
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Treatment |
§ Very effective drugs are available, Eg. Chloroquine, Quinine, Primaquine, Sulphodoxine+Pyrimethamine, Arteether and artemether. § Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications. |
§ No specific anti-viral treatment available. § Symptomatic treatment is given, consisting of Pain relieving drugs (such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and diclofenac) plenty of fluids and rest. § Aspirin is to be avoided |
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Prevention |
There is no vaccine available for all these diseases. Always notify the public health authorities if any of these diseases occurs in your locality. Preventive measures include- ¨ Using Personal protective measures: § Preventing mosquitoes from entering the house- Apply nets to windows § Protection from mosquito bites by using Protective clothing Mosquito repellents Insecticide vapourizers Mosquito nets ¨ Elimination of mosquitoes § Avoiding or eliminating water collections, as these mosquitoes lay eggs in clean stagnant water. Most such collections are artificial, temporary and man made such as buckets, coconut shells, tyres thrown in open and overhead water tanks, etc. § Use of Larvicides such as Temiphos and Fenthion § Killing adult mosquitoes using Space sprays, Thermal fogs. Commonly used insecticide sprays are Organophosphate insecticides and Pyrethroids
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