Despite considerable decrease in temperature, the numbers of dengue cases are still popping up in the State capital. The experts too are intrigued by no let down in dengue cases which normally subside with the onset of winters. On Wednesday four new cases of the disease were reported positive in the district which took the total number of cases to 827 this season.
The district vector borne diseases officer JP Bahuguna said that three cases were reported on Tuesday while 25 cases were found positive on Monday. He claimed that less number of cases is being reported now as the temperatures have gone down considerably.
It is a common observation that the virus of the disease becomes dormant with declining temperature. However the reporting of positive cases this season is a cause of worry for the health department.
One of a medical expert opined that the cases are still being reported as the virus is still active in the population. He pointed out that though the minimum temperature has gone down the maximum temperature is still on higher side.
The head of blood bank at Doon hospital here Dr SK Nautiyal told The Pioneer that the presence of the virus is detected by a test based on antigen antibody reaction so the infected person would be found positive for the disease in the tests even after three months of catching the disease.
Dengue has symptoms of persistent high fever, rashes, headache and pain in the joints. In the acute cases the platelets number decrease drastically which may prove fatal for the patient. The disease is spread by tiger mosquito (called due to the characteristic stripes on its body). It strikes during day time and experts suggest that people should wear full sleeved clothes to prevent mosquito bite.