Karnataka declares Dengue an epidemic disease
Context:
Amidst the rising number of cases of Dengue fever in the state, the government of Karnataka under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020, has declared Dengue as an epidemic disease.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Health, Government policies and interventions)
Key highlights:
- Under section 3 of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020, the state government has notified dengue fever which also includes severe forms of dengue fever as an Epidemic disease in the state.
- It also notified all the owners, occupiers, builders, and persons in charge of land, buildings, water tanks, parks, and playgrounds to take responsibility and take necessary actions to prevent mosquito breeding.
- If mosquito breeding is found, a fine of Rs 400 shall be imposed in urban areas and Rs 200 in the rural areas.
- And for commercial properties like schools, colleges, restaurants, etc., the penalty is Rs 1000 in the urban and Rs 500 in the rural areas.
- For active construction sites, abandoned areas, etc, a penalty of Rs 1000 is imposed.
Why is Dengue So Concerning?
- Dengue can cause severe illness and even death.
- Asia alone is bearing 70% of the global burden and the disease is Endemic in more than 100 countries.
- Since the primary vectors of this disease are the mosquitoes, especially, the Aedes mosquitoes, it is difficult to curb the rapid spread considering the ongoing urbanization, population movements and climate change.
How Does Dengue Spread?
- Dengue virus primarily transmits through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
- These mosquitoes live in natural environments both in urban & rural and breed in stagnant water.
- The virus has four distinct serotypes, and infection with one serotype provides lifelong immunity to that serotype but not to the others.
- Consequently, individuals can be infected multiple times, with secondary infections often being more severe.
Treatment for Dengue
- Dengue treatment is primarily symptomatic and supportive.
- There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue.
- However, The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec have initiated the first-ever Phase 3 clinical trial for India’s indigenous dengue vaccine, DengiAll.
Conclusion:
With the pace in which the urbanization is growing, people generally sideline basic civic sense. The ongoing situation not only requires government action and scientific advancements in the field of vaccine but also from the public where it can be controlled and kept under watch. A well informed and a well aware public is the need for any developing country.
