HOSTEL WATER COOLERS ARE DANGEROUS BREEDING GROUND FOR MOSQUITOS CAUSING MALARIA – IMA

On Apr 21, 2015

In the summers, if the water coolers are not rub dried on a weekly basis, they can become a source for Vector breeding, leading to diseases like dengue, malaria and chikungunia.

Addressing a Press Conference, Padmashri Awardee Dr. A. Marthanda Pillai, National President, Dr.Ashok Adhao, Past National President and Padmashri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, Hony. Secretary General, IMA in a joint statement said that to ear mark the World Malaria Day on 25^th April, IMA will be sensitizing 2.5 lacs on 10 Points which every doctor must know regarding Vector Borne Diseases:

While dengue mosquito is a day biter, the malaria mosquito is a night biter. Therefore mosquito precautions should be taken 24 x 7.
Even a small reservoir of water like a bottle cap, paper cups, paper plates, Chai Ka Kullarh etc. can be a breeding place for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes only require a micro environment to grow.
Breeding of mosquito in medical establishments is a medical negligence. It can spread Vector Borne Diseases to patients with low immunity leading to high mortality.
Treating Falciparum malaria with a single drug is a medical negligence. Such patients should be treated with Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT).
While malaria mosquito bites one person in 3 days, dengue mosquito bites 3 persons in a day.
Malaria can be diagnosed by using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and the test can remain positive upto 3 weeks, after treatment is completed and after the blood has become negative for malaria parasite.
The mosquito which creates noise in the night is culex (Filaria mosquito) and not malaria and dengue mosquitoes.
In Malaria, if fever persists after 72 hours, one should suspect drug resistance.
In dengue unless there is bleeding, platelets transfusion is not required.
In dengue, if we keep difference between upper and lower blood pressure more than 40 most deaths can be saved.