EMN
Dimapur, October 27
The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme has undertaken ‘a massive dengue campaign,’ beginning from October 25, and one that culminated on the 27th in Dimapur.
The campaign was undertaken in collaboration with the Nagaland IEC 9Information, Eductaion & communications) Bureau of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare
The team was led by Supongbenla Lemtur, Health Education Training Officer, the agency said in a press release issued to the media on Tuesday, October 27. She was accompanied by 8 IEC personnel and members of an ‘adolescent club.’
During the campaign, members of the club performed a street play that depicted prevention as well as sent out a message about keeping aware of dengue. The play was followed by a talk on health in seven areas of Dimapur, the agency said.
“The team also carried out a massive leaflet campaign by distributing material on prevention and awareness of dengue in and around the town. Interpersonal communication was also held with the stakeholders of various villages with high prevalence of dengue on the importance of educating the community on prevention and awareness of dengue,” the press release said.
“Cleanliness drive to be undertaken in all the villages was encouraged by the team. The team also visited various private and government schools and interacted with the students by delivering health talk on prevention and awareness of dengue along with the distribution of leaflets.”
What id dengue?
Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence of fever, itchy rash, and headache (the “dengue triad”) is characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.
Dengue fever facts
• Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes.
• Symptoms include severe joint and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, exhaustion, and rash. The presence of fever, rash, and headache (the “dengue triad”) is characteristic of dengue fever.
• Dengue is prevalent throughout the tropics and subtropics.
• Because dengue fever is caused by a virus, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue fever, the treatment is directed toward relief of the symptoms (symptomatic treatment).
• The acute phase of the illness with fever and muscle pain lasts about one to two weeks.
• Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a specific syndrome that tends to affect children under 10 years of age. It causes abdominal pain, hemorrhage (bleeding), and circulatory collapse (shock).
• The prevention of dengue fever requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue.
• There is currently no vaccine to prevent dengue fever.
