Dive into our detailed SOP (Survival & Operation Plan) for dengue prevention and control and discover how Circle Health can help you stay healthy and bite-free. This SOP is applicable for larger premises. Circle Health is even offering a pro-bono Dengue audit to companies, factories, offices, schools, and establishments in Bangalore.
Dengue 101: Know your enemy
Dengue, a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, presents itself with early symptoms akin to flu:
- High fever
- Nausea, vomiting
- Headache, eye pain
- Muscle & joint pain
- Facial flushing, skin rashes
Aedes mosquitoes, often recognized as 'Tiger mosquitoes' for their distinctive black and white striped appearance on legs and abdomen, are the primary vectors of Dengue in India.
These mosquitoes thrive during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods, multiplying rapidly in stagnant water found in domestic and peri-domestic containers. Eggs can survive for over six months until flooded by rainwater, triggering hatching into larvae. Adults typically live for about three weeks.
Aedes mosquitoes are diurnal, biting during the day and preferring indoor breeding, feeding, and resting areas near human dwellings. If a colleague has contracted Dengue, it's likely they were infected at their workplace.Preventing Dengue entails eliminating stagnant water sources and employing protective measures against mosquito bites.
Importance of Dengue Prevention and Control
Companies, factories, schools, and establishments provide ample breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes. With numerous people entering and exiting daily, an infected mosquito can swiftly spread dengue fever to surrounding areas where employees reside. Therefore, it's crucial to conduct weekly inspections of companies, factories, schools, and establishments premises and promptly address any standing water containers.
Given the susceptibility of companies, factories, schools, and establishments environments, it is imperative to mitigate dengue transmission by controlling the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and promoting personal protection on-site.
Mosquito mayhem: How to spot the breeding grounds?
Sources of water stagnation that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes include a variety of items:
- Unused toilets
- Areas surrounding buildings
- Open spaces & rooftops
- Water-holding containers, coolers & drums
- Discarded tires & containers
- Tins, pitchers & barrels
- Plastic & cement tanks
- Flower vases, potted plant trays & earthen pots
- Tree holes, bamboo stumps & plant axils
- Disposables (glass, ice cream cups, cold drink bottles)
- Coconut shells
How to champion Dengue prevention and control?
Preventing and controlling Dengue is a team effort that relies on active participation in source reduction activities, overseen by immediate supervisors.
Individual efforts: What you can do?
- Embrace personal protection by sporting long sleeves and trousers.
- Inform supervisors about any open water storage tanks or containers.
- Dispose used plastic cups, glasses, and bottles.
Supervisor’s duties: Leading the charge
- Lead by example with personal protection and source reduction efforts across building premises, homes, and surrounding areas.
- Educate about the daytime risks of Dengue and inspire cleanliness initiatives.
- Mobilize coworkers to join the detection and elimination of potential Aedes breeding spots.
- Notify the right authorities about any open water storage issues.
- Share Dengue prevention tips within your community.
EHS/Medical Staff: The frontline fighters
- Tap into medical staff's expertise to inform, motivate, and engage employees in Dengue prevention activities.
- Integrate Dengue prevention into meetings, first aid sessions, and health education programs.
- Conduct weekly patrols to squash potential breeding grounds at the factory/office premises.
- Ensure all water storage containers are covered and solid waste is disposed of properly.
- Cover those toilet seats when not in use
Management’s role: The strategy chiefs
- Appoint a dedicated Nodal Person to spearhead Dengue education and coordination efforts.
- Equip employees with knowledge about Dengue causes, symptoms, prevention, and control measures.
- Collaborate with various departments and external bodies for a unified approach.
- Keep a watchful eye on all Dengue prevention activities to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
- Monthly conduct of shramdaan
Sensitization actions: Spread the word, not the virus.
- Organize street plays, dramas, and nukkad nataks to raise awareness.
- Encourage interpersonal communication and group meetings.
- Host workshops, open sessions, and case studies with the help of Health Departments.
- Distribute pamphlets and other informative materials.
- Initiate the ‘Mosquito Free Premises’ campaign.
- Spread awareness about the importance of observing ‘National Dengue Day’ on May 16 and ‘Anti Dengue Month’ in July.
- Ensure water tanks and containers are covered with tight lids.
- Check for and address water stagnation in coolers, buckets, barrels, flower pots, bird baths, freeze trays, coconut shells, etc., in companies, factories, schools, office premises and homes.
- Promote weekly cleaning of premises, homes, and neighborhoods, designating this as Source Reduction Week (SRW), also known as Swachh Week or Dry Week.
- Use stories and audio-visual shows to educate about source reduction activities.
- Recognize and appreciate employees' contributions and best practices in dengue prevention.-holding containers, coolers & drums
Personal protection: Keep those bites at bay
- Protective Clothing: Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers with stockings to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. Choosing thicker fabrics or loosely fitting garments can enhance protection, particularly for arms and legs, which are prime targets for mosquito bites. Encourage employees to follow these practices whenever feasible.
- Repellents: Use repellents as effective personal protection against mosquitoes and other biting insects. They are divided into natural and chemical categories. Natural repellents include essential oils from plant extracts like citronella, lemongrass, and neem. Chemical repellents, available in creams and sprays, provide protection for varying durations, from a few hours to several.
- Screens/Wire mesh on doors and windows: Install tight-fitting screens or wire mesh on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering office spaces, dining halls, and rooms.
- Mosquito nets/Bed nets: While Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day, mosquito nets can still be useful for protecting employees at home during daytime sleep. Sensitize all employees about using mosquito nets, especially if they are experiencing fever.
Use of IEC materials: Knowledge is power
To enhance awareness and knowledge about dengue-related issues, a diverse range of print and audio-visual IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials can be employed. These materials cover various topics such as mosquito vectors, dengue risks, source reduction practices, and personal protection strategies.
Examples of IEC materials include:
- Display posters and panels
- Leaflets and handbills
- Flipbooks and wall art
- Plays and dramas
Additionally, live demonstrations featuring dengue vectors (larvae and adults) can be conducted in collaboration with the Health Department. These initiatives play a crucial role in educating and engaging communities in effective dengue prevention and control measures.
Training: Building a mosquito-fighting army
- Train a select squad of employees to spot and squash dengue breeding grounds in and around companies, factories, schools, and office premises, homes, and neighborhoods.
- Once trained, these dengue warriors will carry out weekly source reduction missions, with or without supervision.
Why should we monitor Aedes breeding weekly?
Because these pesky mosquitoes complete their life cycle in just one week, regular checks are crucial to prevent their population from spiraling out of control.
Pulling it all together: Dengue defense strategies
Not every dengue case requires hospitalization. How do you know when it's time to head to the hospital?
Home care tips for Dengue: Daily check-ins and monitoring
If you don’t have any warning signs, home care is sufficient. Follow these tips during the febrile (fever) phase (2–7 days) and critical (during the downfall of fever) phase (1–2 days):
Blood Counts: Order and review complete blood cell counts.
Stay Hydrated: Monitor for dehydration and warning signs.
Control the fever
- Give acetaminophen at 6 hour intervals if the patient is febrile (no more than 4 doses per day).
- Do not give ibuprofen or aspirin- containing drugs.
- Sponge patient’s skin with tepid water when temperature is high.
Prevent dehydration
This occurs when a person loses too much fluid (from high fever, vomiting, or poor oral intake). Give plenty of fluids (not only water) and watch for signs of dehydration. Bring patient to clinic or emergency room if any of the following signs develop:
- Decrease in urination (check number of wet diapers or trips to the bathroom)
- Few or no tears when child cries
- Dry mouth, tongue or lips
- Sunken eyes
- Listlessness, agitation, or confusion
- Fast heartbeat (>100/min)
- Cold or clammy fingers and toes
- Sunken fontanel in an infant
Fever usually lasts 2-7 days and warning signs commonly appear as the fever starts to decline.
Return immediately to clinic or emergency department if any of the following warning signs appear:
- Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
- Bleeding from nose or gums
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Vomiting blood
- Black, tarry stools
- Drowsiness or irritability
- Pale, cold, or clammy skin
- Difficulty breathing
Prevent spread of dengue within your house
- The patient should sleep under a bed net.
- Everyone in the house should use EPA*- registered insect repellent.
- Empty and scrub containers that hold water in and around the home.
- Place screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering the home.
Mosquito control measures should start early in May before monsoon hits and two weeks post monsoon.
Let us join hands to make your workspace a dengue-free zone! Contact Circle Health today for a pro-bono dengue audit and let’s swat away this menace together!