GS Paper 2:
Topics Covered: Issues related to health.
Context:
Dengue cases in Punjab have reached 16,129 — an all-time high figure since 2016.
When do cases peak?
The disease has a seasonal pattern, i.e., the peak comes after monsoon and it is not uniformly distributed throughout the year.
Every year, from July to November, an upsurge in cases of dengue has been observed.
What is the major reason for the outbreak of dengue in the state?
Source reduction of mosquito breeding sites and adult control measures are grossly inadequate like Indoor Space Spray and fogging are not carried out in routine. When dengue is reported, measures to control in that area are ignored.
About Dengue:
- Dengue virus is transmitted through the bite of a female Aedes (Ae.) mosquito.
- Aedes is a day time feeder and can fly up to a limited distance of 400 meters.
- Although it usually results in mild illness, severe dengue infections can sometimes prove fatal.
- World Health Organization (WHO) estimates suggest an annual incidence of 100-400 million dengue infections every year, with its global incidence growing dramatically “in recent decades”.
Insta Curious:
Did you know that dengue mosquitoes can’t breed once the temperature falls below 16 degrees?
Have you heard about the “Wolbachia method”, which could be used to significantly reduce the incidence of dengue fever? Reference: read this.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Dengue- causes, symptoms and spread.
- The “Wolbachia method” is related to?
- Where was this method tested recently?
- About the World Mosquito Program (WMP).
Mains Link:
Write a note on the “Wolbachia method”, which was in news recently.
Sources: Indian Express.
