8 ways to keep children safe amid rising dengue cases in Delhi

According to media reports, Delhi recorded over 900 cases of dengue in October alone. The city in the last week alone reported 300 dengue cases. This has taken the total infection tally to 1,876 thus far this year. The mosquito woes are not just restricted to dengue. The national capital has also reported 194 cases of malaria and 38 cases of chikungunya till now.

Now that the children have the opportunity to go out and play, after being at home for more than two years due to COVID-19, parents are worried about how to protect their wards from rising dengue cases.

Parents can take heart since schools like Apeejay in Saket have done their bit to ensure that students in school are safe. Dr Sujeet Eric Masih, principal of Apeejay School, Saket said that as a routine, they fumigate their school premises each year to keep the area mosquito-free.

Dengue, Masih said, is a regular feature in Delhi and therefore, they have to be vigilant at all times. “This year too, in the last 15 days, due to unprecedented rains, we have ensured that the entire school including the backyard is cleaned. We made sure that there was no stagnant water, especially on the roof of the school building. The drains were cleaned and we poured kerosene to kill any larvae. We removed any extra vegetation that was growing. With the help of the MCD and local councilor we managed to fog the entire school,” Masih said.

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“We have ensured that we cleaned the entire school including the backyard. Even the drains were cleaned and with the help of the MCD and local councilor we managed to fog the entire school”

–Dr Sujeet Eric Masih, principal of Apeejay School, Saket

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The school tied up with the Resident Welfare Society (RWA) that borders their school and asked them to clean their compound too. “We spoke with the RWA and requested them to clean their area as well and fill soil in any stagnant water bodies,” Masih said.

Not only this, but the school also spreads awareness among its students regularly and teaches them the importance of keeping their homes clean as well. “We tell our students to wear full-sleeve shirts. Girls, with skirts, are asked to wear lowers to protect their legs from bites. We have a student committee comprising senior students who go from class to class and spread awareness about vector-borne diseases including dengue. We tell the juniors what measures they can take at home to protect their family, especially the elderly,” Masih said.

While schools have been doing their bit, parents must do the same and follow a few guidelines to keep their children safe at home.

Dr Prabhat Kumar Bajpai, senior consultant, Paediatrics and Neonatology, Accord Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad said that there is a reason why dengue cases are on the rise in the capital.

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“Kids above the age of two can use repellents like mosquito patches and other creams and roll-ons available in the market to ward off the pesky insect”

–Dr Prabhat Kumar Bajpai, senior consultant, Paediatrics and Neonatology, Accord Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad  

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“Over the years, the monsoon pattern has changed. Instead of the usual rains starting towards the end of June and withdrawing by August, rains in the city start now only from July and retreat only in September-October. Also, Delhi has become a city under constant construction. This means potholes for water to fill and stagnate – a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes,” Dr Bajpai said.

Safety is of prime importance, he said. “We should not allow waterlogging around our homes,” Dr Bajpai added and suggested a few guidelines that parents and kids can follow to keep them safe:

1. Wear full sleeve clothes, especially for the next few weeks.
2. Kids above the age of two can use repellents like mosquito patches and other creams and roll-ons available in the market to ward off the pesky insect.
3. Toddlers need to be appropriately dressed before they step out of the home.
4.  Use mosquito netting while sleeping especially if there is a lake, pond, or garbage dump near the house.
5.  Since the dengue mosquito bites during the day, parents can put a mosquito patch on their children’s uniforms to protect them from the bite in school.
6.  A word of advice: Do a test of any repellent or mosquito patch. Some kids with breathing issues may have an allergic reaction to such products.
7. If there is any stagnant water around the house, ask the local authorities to fill it or spray medication and fumigate regularly.
8. Remove any excess water in pots and plants.