SHILLONG, May 16: The state has seen a rise in the number of dengue cases reported in 2021 from the almost negligible number in 2020. The number of dengue cases reported during the first wave of COVID in 2020 was only four, while a total number of 129 cases were reported in 2021.
Speaking during a programme to commemorate National Dengue Day, Director of Health Services (MI) Aman War said that the low number of cases in 2020 can be attributed to the massive sanitisation exercise undertaken to prevent the spread of COVID. “Yes, it was interesting to see only four cases reported in 2020. But I will say that dengue is here to stay. The spread of dengue was brought under control due to the massive sanitisation exercise undertaken to prevent spread of COVID in 2020,” he said.
According to Dr War, they have carried out a study and found that mosquitoes could not survive the sanitisation exercise.
He has also recommended that the public follow the 4S strategy against dengue: ‘search and destroy’ breeding places of mosquitoes, ‘self-protection’ from mosquito bites, ‘seek early consultation’ whenever there are symptoms of dengue and ‘support fogging/spraying’ if an outbreak is anticipated.
It may be noted that the number of dengue cases reported in the state in the past few years includes 26 in 2012, 43 in 2013, nine in 2014, 13 in 2015, 172 in 2016, 44 in 2018 and 82 in 2019.
