Dengue season: how to protect your family, according to NCVBDC and WHO

September to November is usually the peak period for dengue in much of India, as rainwater collects in containers and Aedes mosquitoes breed quickly. The National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) under the Union Health Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) offer simple, well-established advice.

Stop mosquitoes from breeding

Aedes mosquitoes lay eggs in clean, still water around homes. The WHO and NCVBDC advise:

• Empty, clean and cover water storage containers at least once a week
• Drain coolers, flower-pot trays and pet bowls regularly
• Throw away old tyres, cups and anything else that can hold water
• Keep overhead tanks tightly covered

Avoid bites, especially in the daytime

Dengue mosquitoes bite mostly during the day. Wear clothes that cover arms and legs, use mosquito nets and window screens, and use repellents containing ingredients such as DEET, picaridin or IR3535.

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Know the symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 4 to 10 days after an infected bite and include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and rash.

Warning signs - get help immediately

These signs often appear just as the fever comes down, so do not assume recovery too early.

Treatment basics

There is no specific medicine for dengue. The WHO says paracetamol can be used for fever and pain, and that ibuprofen and aspirin should be avoided because they can raise the risk of bleeding. Rest and fluids are important. Testing is available at government sentinel surveillance hospitals across the country.

This is general information, not medical advice.