Dengue fever, Symptoms and Control Measures

A special awareness program on “Dengue Fever, Symptoms and Control Measures” was organized by National Service Scheme (NSS) of Mookambigai College of Engineering (MCE), Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu. This program was organized on 21^st Nov 2012 during 9 - 10.30hrs. A program began with welcome address given by Mr. N. Kanagaraj, Programme Officer NSS Unit, MCE, followed by “Tamil Thai Valthu” was taken place.

The program which continued with inaugural address given by Dr. M.G. Venugopalan, Principal, Mookambigai College of Engineering, and facilitation address given by Prof. Alaguraj and Prof. Soundrapandian. During the inaugural address, the objective of this program, why it was organized in for students was explained by Principal of MCE.

Post inaugural session, the proceedings were taken over by Dr. S. Rajendra Kumar, Professor, Environmental Sciences, Chief guest of the program. He started his presentation with unique introduction on dengue, definition and difference between Dengue Fever (DF), Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). Further, he started interaction session, the students were asked to share the few points related to dengue. It is basically to assess the student’s knowledge on “Dengue Fever”.

Later he continued his presentation, starting with historical background of dengue, distribution, how it moved from one country to another. At present, the major vector is mosquito called the name Aedes Aegypti. He explained the difference between Aedes sps. and normal mosquitos. Further he briefed life cycle of Aedes and disease transmission mode with help of two short films.

The participants were cleared about the symptoms of Dengue and its stages. The initial symptoms of Dengue starting with Fever, Rash and Severe headache and Musculoskeletal pains. Later, it becomes Plasma leakage, Hepatomegaly, Low blood pressure, Hypovolemic shock leads to Death. In addition, the photographs of each stage were shown to participants.

Treatment on dengue fever was explained to the participants. There is no specific treatment method for dengue fever. All the treatments were based on symptoms specific. Initially, dengue affected person has to go regular blood, urine check up and dengue identification test, protein leakage test etc., Based on health condition, test results, the symptoms specific treatment were prescribed to the patient.

Atlast, he explained dengue management strategies and breeding site control mechanism. Basically breeding site of Aedes mosquito is fresh water stagnant in cool environment - plant materials, broken pot and dump yard of waste materials and tyres. He suggested to identify those environments and remove the stagnant water from materials and recommended to go for indoor and outdoor fumigations on day time.

Finally the program comes to end with question hour. Students were asked their doubts; the doubts were cleared by chief guest. The program ends with vote of thanks given by Mr. V. Saravanan, NSS Programme Officer of MCE.

Overall the program went well, more informative and knowledge were distributed both staff and students. The real success of this program we felt from student’s feedback was shared at the end.