AIIMS Bhubaneswar Champions National Dengue Day: Experts Spearhead Public Awareness Drive

Bhubaneswar, 16/05/2024: AIIMS Bhubaneswar marked National Dengue Day today with a series of public awareness programmes aimed at educating the public on preventive measures to combat Dengue. Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, an international expert on Dengue and vector-borne diseases and the Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, emphasized the importance of keeping homes and surroundings clean and free from water accumulations to prevent mosquito breeding, especially with the onset of the monsoon season.

“Larvae can survive for a long time in stagnant or clean water. It is crucial to maintain cleanliness and eliminate water stagnation to prevent mosquito breeding. During the monsoon, preventive measures such as using bed nets, mosquito repellent, and wearing full-sleeve clothes are essential to avoid mosquito bites,” stated Dr. Biswas.

The Department of General Medicine at AIIMS Bhubaneswar organized a public awareness programme in the OPD foyer. Public information materials on Dengue were distributed to raise awareness about the disease and its prevention. Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection, can cause significant symptoms and serious complications.

The event was graced by the presence of Executive Director Prof. Ashutosh Biswas, Medical Superintendent Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida, and DDA Lt. Col. Abhijit Sarkar. Also, in attendance were the Head of the Department of General Medicine Dr. Anupam Dey, faculty members Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty, Dr. Debananda Sahoo, and Dr. Srikant Behera. Faculty members from the Pediatrics department, including Dr. Rashmi R Das, and from the CMFM department, Dr. Arvind Singh, also participated in the programme.

During the event, experts highlighted the public health importance of Dengue, epidemiological risks, and the necessity of adopting preventive measures. They also provided insights into the clinical diagnosis and treatment of Dengue in both adults and children.