Recently a women hailing from Udhampur district has died due to dengue in Jammu region. As per health officials around 144 people have tested positive for dengue in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir so far. According to many news reports Jammu region is the worst- affected with 98 active cases of dengue patients. As the number of cases increases at an alarming rate, it is a stark reminder of the urgent need to take immediate action. Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease, is not a new adversary for the UT, but the recent surge in cases is a cause for concern. The disease can lead to severe flu-like illness and sometimes cause a life-threatening condition called severe dengue. With no specific antiviral treatment available, the key to fighting this disease lies in prevention and control. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate potential breeding grounds around homes, schools, workplaces, and public places. Regular cleanup drives, effective waste management, and ensuring proper water storage can significantly reduce the risk of an outbreak. Therefore health authorities must wake put in their efforts to control the spread of dengue. Rapid diagnostic tests need to be made widely available, and healthcare workers must be trained to identify and manage dengue cases effectively. The health department should also ramp up the efforts of providing proper treatment to the patients and see to it whether hospitals and health care facilities are in a condition to prevent an outbreak. Public education campaigns play a pivotal role in disease control. Awareness about the symptoms of dengue, the importance of seeking prompt medical care, and measures to prevent mosquito breeding can help to reduce the spread of dengue. The health officials can take all precautionary measures to stop the spread right now or work day and night to control the damage later, and at a higher cost. Municipal authorities must also provide a helping hand by making regular inspections of drains and areas where water gets accumulated. People also need to take precautions from both mosquito bites and their possible breeding places. Because there is no medicine to treat dengue, prevention is the best remedy. For that health department must issue advisories and make use of campaigns. Lethargy won’t do as dengue outbreak can compromise the public health which takes a lot of time to recover and heal. As responsible citizens, we must adhere to preventive measures, stay informed, and follow health advisories.
