As we enter the last week of June, monsoon is knocking on the doors of the last few states in the northwest while continuing to gain strength across the country. While many may find this to be a joyous occasion, the monsoon and its army of ailments associated with the rain can cause tragedy for many more throughout these months.
In fact, despite the fact that the monsoon hasn't been very active in the city, dengue, gastroenteritis, and hepatitis cases have already started to rise in Mumbai. According to the BMC, the city has recorded two cases of H1N1 and one case of Chinkunhungya between June 1 and 19, and almost double the number of cases of dengue compared to June of last year (22 cases between June 1 and 19 versus only 12 cases in June 2021).
While this is naturally tragic, there is also a valid reason behind the periodic increase in diseases during the rainy months! Due to the higher moisture content in the air, which allows viruses and bacteria to grow, the danger of being exposed to infections is much higher in the monsoon than in any other season. Today, we will look at a vector of diseases that India suffers from every year — mosquitoes!
While mosquito-borne diseases are usually easily preventable, they are one of the largest causes of diseases annually — causing a million deaths worldwide, according to WHO. This just gets scarier when we realise that Malaria — one of the mosquito-borne diseases — is endemic to 95% of our country, accounting for three-fourths of all cases in South-East Asia.
As rainwater puddles aid an exponential spike in the mosquito population, monsoon is a high-risk season in terms of mosquito-borne diseases. Here is a list of mosquito-borne diseases we have to look out for this monsoon, and what we can do to keep ourselves protected.
Malaria
What is it?
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by a bite from a female Anopheles and Aedes mosquito. Tropical areas with hot and humid climates and forested and hilly areas contribute significantly to malaria transmission.
Which states are most affected?
Malaria is a public health concern in 16 states, which include the seven north-eastern states as well. Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh accounted for nearly half of all the cases in India last year, with over 60% of deaths being reported from these states.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include fever, sweats, chills, headaches, confusion, loss of appetite, muscle pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes, sore throat or difficulty in breathing
Is there a vaccine?
The WHO recommends the malaria vaccine, RTS,S. However, the vaccine is still only under pilot trial in three African countries.
How is it treated?
Malaria treatment benefits greatly from early intervention. It is treated with antimalarial medicines after consultation with a doctor. Some people might have to be hospitalised under special care.
Who is at risk?
India observed 77 deaths from malaria in 2019. In particular, young children, non-immune pregnant people, people with HIV/AIDS and international travellers from non-endemic countries are at risk of the disease, according to the WHO.
Dengue
What is it?
Dengue is a viral infection caused by mosquito bites that cause flu-like symptoms and has the chance to have lethal complications. It has become dramatically more popular in India in recent decades. There are four types of dengue viruses currently.
Which states are most affected?
The disease is endemic to the entire country. Last year, 15 states and Union Territories reported their maximum number of cases, leading to overflowing emergency wards in hospitals.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of dengue can be mild or severe, usually consisting of nausea, vomiting, rashes, as well pain in the eyes, muscles, joints and bones. A very high fever (around 104°F) is also observed. Generally, people recover within a week.
However, about 1 in 20 people are at risk of developing severe dengue, which is characterised by belly pain, tenderness, frequent vomiting with a chance of blood, nose or gum bleeding, and feeling fatigued, restless or irritable.
Is there a vaccine?
A dengue vaccine is available for US children aged 9-16 years old who are from endemic areas and have had dengue before. However, India hasn’t approved any vaccines so far.
How is it treated?
The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) says that there is no specific medicine to treat dengue. Instead, the symptoms must be treated individually after meeting a healthcare provider. Drinking plenty of water and resting will also help greatly. Severe dengue, however, is a medical emergency and will require care in an emergency room.
Who is at risk?
India reported almost 2000 deaths from dengue last year. The symptoms can be severe in young children and babies, and in people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma.
Chikungunya
What is it?
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It is characterised by intense fever and joint pains and is often misdiagnosed as dengue.
Which states are most affected?
According to the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control, India observed almost 18,000 cases in 2021. States that have continuously had a large number of cases include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Puducherry.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of chikungunya may include a sudden onset of fever with joint pains, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and rash, and appear 2-7 days after being bit by an infected mosquito. Symptoms usually resolve within 3-10 days after the onset.
Is there a vaccine?
Currently, there are no vaccines available for the prevention of this disease.
How is it treated?
There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for chikungunya. Treatment is usually aimed at relieving the symptoms, usually through
Who is at risk?
Newborns infected at the time of delivery, elderly persons (≥65 years), and people with medical disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease are all at risk for more severe disease. However, once someone has been infected, they are usually protected against future infections.
How can I stay safe against these mosquito-borne diseases?
All of the diseases listed require almost the same safeguards. Using a 10% DEET insect repellent on your skin and sleeping under mosquito nets is greatly beneficial towards prevention and incidence. You can also use insecticides and wear long-sleeved clothing to reduce body access to the mosquito in the afternoon and evenings.
Further, do take any medicine that you have been prescribed. Reducing areas where mosquitoes can breed such as areas with standing water will also help greatly.
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