Amidst the flood situation in Chennai, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Southern Tamil Nadu, concerns are mounting over the heightened risk of vector-borne diseases in the affected regions. The unprecedented rainfall and flooding have created breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors, necessitating urgent public health measures to mitigate potential outbreaks.
Shedding light on the prevalence of vector-borne diseases, Prof. Dr. S. Arulrhaj, Past National President, Association of Physicians of India (API); Founder & Chairman, ’ARULS Groups’, Chairman & Head Acute Medicine, Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals, emphasized, “Malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, leptospirosis, and Lyme disease, among others, are a major health concern, especially in flood-affected areas.”
In addition to awareness, early detection and appropriate medical intervention play pivotal roles in curbing the spread of vector-borne diseases. Antibiotics like Doxycycline, emerges as a valuable tool and a versatile treatment option due to its multi-faceted approach, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune-modulatory properties.
Moreover, adopting Integrated Vector Management (IVM), a comprehensive strategy incorporating chemical, biological, environmental, and sociological interventions, offers an additional avenue to diminish vector populations and control disease proliferation. Embracing IVM empowers public health authorities to devise targeted, cost-effective, and sustainable approaches aimed at eradicating the root causes of vector-borne diseases.