Issued by: Dr. P. Jagadeeswara Rao, District Medical and Health Officer, Visakhapatnam | Date: 16.05.2026

Visakhapatnam Indian News Times Today, on May 16, 2026—marking the occasion of National Dengue Day—Dr. P. Jagadeeswara Rao, District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) of Visakhapatnam, and Dr. B. Prabhavathi, Zonal Malaria Officer, jointly flagged off a rally. This rally commenced from the office of the District Medical and Health Officer and proceeded via Satyam Junction. Speaking on the significance of National Dengue Day, the District Medical and Health Officer noted that the very first case of Dengue in our state was recorded in Visakhapatnam district in 1964. He explained that the pathogen responsible for this disease belongs to the Arbovirus family and is transmitted from infected individuals to healthy persons through the bite of the *Aedes aegypti* mosquito, which carries the virus. He further stated that symptoms typically manifest within 5 to 8 days after a bite; these include high-grade fever, headaches, and severe eye pain—specifically, a reduction in eye movement accompanied by unbearable pain when the eyes are moved. Other symptoms include muscle and joint pain, nausea (a sensation of wanting to vomit), dry mouth, and a drastic drop in blood pressure to unrecordable levels. He emphasized that if any of the aforementioned symptoms are observed, one must immediately visit a hospital for diagnosis and confirmation.  It was highlighted that Visakhapatnam holds the top spot in the state regarding Dengue cases. To prevent this disease, everyone was urged to maintain clean surroundings, strictly observe the "Dry Day-Friday" initiative, and take appropriate precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Speaking on the occasion of National Dengue Day—which is observed annually on May 16th—Dr. B. Prabhavathi, Zonal Malaria Officer, emphasized that everyone should maintain cleanliness not only within their homes but also in their office premises. She explained that by adopting practices such as using mosquito nets to prevent bites, and ensuring the removal of discarded items and stagnant water sources, the proliferation of mosquito larvae can be effectively curbed, thereby preventing mosquito-borne infections.
Mr. Varaprasada Reddy, District Malaria Officer, stated that the theme for this year's Dengue Day is "CCC" (Check, Clean, Cover). He noted that by diligently checking for potential breeding sites, cleaning them thoroughly, and covering water storage containers, mosquito bites—and consequently the spread of Dengue—can be largely prevented. In observance of National Dengue Day, specific measures were recommended for the Visakhapatnam district: ensuring that there are no potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes; using mosquito nets to avoid bites; installing mesh screens on windows; wearing clothing that fully covers the arms and legs; and completely draining and drying water coolers and flower pots inside homes once every three days. Furthermore, residents were advised to ensure that overhead water tanks are properly covered and to prevent any water from stagnating in the immediate vicinity of their homes.  Since the Aedes mosquito breeds in stagnant water, care must be taken to ensure that water does not accumulate in items such as broken bottles, coconut shells, and discarded tires.
District Program Officers, GVMC Biologist Mr. G. Sambamurthy, Malaria staff, and personnel from the Medical and Health Department participated in this rally.

     District Medical and Health Officer
                      Visakhapatnam

                  K.V.SHARMA EDITOR