Data sourced from the National Vector Borne Disease Control suggests that there have been more than 1,36,422 cases of dengue reported in India as of November 2019. Dengue is considered as one of the common mosquito-borne diseases which occur mostly during the rainy season in India, owing to its subtropical climate conditions.
Although dengue cannot spread one from person to another, all it takes is a single bite from an infected mosquito to cause such a disease. The symptoms of this disease can be mild as well as severe, which usually originate after 5 to 7 days from being bit by a dengue infected mosquito.
The primary symptom of dengue is high fever, which if left untreated, can prove to be fatal. A proper cure such as a dedicated vaccine is yet to be discovered so any individual diagnosed with dengue needs to be admitted to a hospital where he or she can receive professional medical care. Hence, it is advised to undertake important measures and essential steps required for dengue prevention.
Essential measures to prevent the spread of dengueVarious precautionary measures can be undertaken for dengue fever prevention. Such measures include the following -
- Reducing mosquito breeding around human habitat
You can control mosquito breeding in your surroundings by consulting the tips mentioned below -
- Try to avoid areas with stagnant water as they are the breeding places of mosquitos. Such areas can potentially lead to the birth of deadly mosquito-borne viruses, for which they are regarded as one of the primary dengue fever causes.
- Maintain regular disposal of solid and biodegradable waste in a proper fashion.
- Clean water containers daily and throw away the water which was kept outside for more than 2 to 3 days in such containers.
- Prevention against mosquito bites
With the help of these following measures, you can make yourself and others in your household less vulnerable to mosquito bites -
- Attach mosquito nets to windows and doors to prevent the entry of mosquitos in your home, office, etc.
- Use mosquito repellents which are available in the form of ointments, coils, vaporisers, etc.
- Make use of mosquito nets.
- If possible, opt for long-sleeved clothing which prevents skin exposure, thereby reducing the chances of mosquito bites, which is among the most critical factors of dengue prevention.
However, individuals may still contract dengue symptoms even after following the steps mentioned above. So, if you reside in an area where there is a substantial spread of this mosquito-borne disease, it is advised to opt for a dengue insurance policy to secure yourself financially against unanticipated hospitalisation and medication costs.
Treatment for dengue disease can prove to be quite expensive and henceforth, bears a substantial monetary burden on infected individuals. In this regard, insurance plans such as the Dengue Cover offered by leading insurance aggregator, Bajaj Finserv, under its Pocket Insurance & Subscriptions, can be highly beneficial for the common masses.
There are multiple visible signs and symptoms of dengue which makes the diagnosis of this disease easier than other viruses. However, those diagnosed with severe symptoms can be required to stay hospitalised for a certain period which can leave them without a source of income for a significant amount of time. In such cases, patients can opt for insurance plans such as hospital cash cover, which offers financial coverage to cover their daily expenses.
Since mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, chances of an individual contracting the dengue virus during the rainy season are comparatively higher than other countries. In this regard, for further protection, you can also purchase a monsoon cover policy, to financially secure yourself from any unforeseen expenses incurred from falling sick during this season.
Hence, with these all-round insurance plans in place and protective measures discussed above, dengue prevention can be achieved effectively.