Anti-mosquito spray & roll -ons may keep children safe from dengue: experts

FRIDAY, 08 SEPTEMBER 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN

With the surge in dengue cases across Dehradun district, doctors have observed a worrisome spike in the number of children being afflicted with this vector-borne disease. Doctors, based in Dehradun city, said with concern that the city had reported in August a sharp surge of 60 to 70 per cent in the number of dengue-afflicted children compared to the month of July.  They said that to keep the children safe from this disease, child-friendly anti-mosquito sprays and roll-ons should be used. They further said that it is crucial for the teachers to educate the children about effective preventive measures to combat dengue.

The Dehradun District Hospital’s senior physician Dr Pravin Panwar told this correspondent that the city is currently witnessing a higher incidence of dengue cases among children. He stressed that this trend must be combated effectively.  “To curb the rate of dengue cases among children, the use of anti-mosquito sprays, creams and mosquito –repellent roll-ons may come handy.  Moreover, parents should ensure that their children wear full sleeve shirts during the time they are in schools.  Along with this, schools must ensure that there is no stagnant water in their premises. Allowing stagnant water amounts to an invitation to the female dengue-begetting mosquitoes to lay eggs,” said Panwar.

He further said that the teachers should educate their students about the essential precautions to be taken to keep the dreaded vector-borne malady at bay. “Further, it is immensely important for the children afflicted with dengue to increase their water intake,” he added.

Further, a paediatrician at CMI Hospital Dr Apoorav Jain said, “The incidence of dengue cases among children has alarmingly spiked in the city this time. The increase ranges from a staggering 60 to 70 per cent. Parental carelessness may be a contributing factor to this trend. The parents must take all precautions to keep their vulnerable children away from this disease. They must use anti-mosquito spray in the rooms and apply mosquito-repellent roll- ons over the exposed skin of their bodies. These measures may effectively shield children from the affliction of dengue. Moreover, the children down with dengue should have light meals and prioritise adequate hydration to facilitate their recovery.”