Dengue, Chikungunya hit a plateau in J&K: Dr Rai

Jammu: Dengue and Chikungunya – two mosquito-borne viral diseases which have gripped J&K, mainly Jammu division, for the past few months, have hit a plateau in the Union Territory.

According to State Malariologist and the Nodal Officer National Health Mission, Dr Harjeet Rai, their cases would register a decline by November beginning,

“Mainly in the case of Dengue, which had sent alarming bells with its spike in September and October, it has almost reached its peak. Now with the change in temperature, cases will dip. By November end and December beginning, the spate will be over,” he stated.

“With the fluctuating temperature, the cases too show a wavering trend. Like today, we registered 85 cases, out of 500 tests conducted. Similarly, on an average we get 10-15 Chikungunya positive cases. Actually, both viral diseases have already passed their peak during the second and third week of October. This was the period, when on an average 600-700 suspected cases (for both Dengue and Chikungunya combined) would arrive, though positivity was not that alarming. In all, J&K has reported 318 positive cases, out of 1400 tests conducted for Chikungunya,” senior doctor informs.

With regard to symptoms, line of treatment being adopted, Dr Rai points out that both have almost similar symptoms viz., high-grade fever and joint pain as their vector is same (but virus is different). “Main symptomatic difference is that in case of Chikungunya, the patients experience severe and prolonged joint-pain, spanning two to three weeks. Tests are different. In case of Dengue NS1 antigen tests are conducted while Chikungunya positive cases are confirmed through RT-PCR. Dengue, if not tackled carefully, may take a dangerous turn, with greater chances of complications, which are rare and remote in Chikungunya. But yes, prevention in both the cases is the best way out,” he asserts.

According to him, the prevalence of Chikungunya in J&K is actually a recent phenomenon. It would be widely prevalent in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi but not in J&K.

“But nowadays, given the spurt in migration and tourism, the virus also travels, hence in J&K, this year we have been experiencing its spate, though still not at an alarming level. Out of testing of 1500 suspected cases, 300 turned out to be positive for Chikungunya across J&K during July to October (till date). Maximum cases were reported during September and October,” Dr Rai informed.

As far as Dengue is concerned, as per official statistics, at present, there are 4553 positive cases out of 35,000 tests conducted so far during this season (July-October till date) and it has claimed five lives across the UT this season.

He reiterates that the J&K government has established 104 Helpline to contain dengue and related infections’ onslaught by facilitating people to register grievances, seek help or requisite information.

“This is a Health helpline – an initiative of the J&K government, funded by the Government of India under National Health Mission (NHM). People can register grievances using this helpline,” Dr Rai states.