Results of Mass Homoeopathic Prophylaxis in Dengue Epidemic

Dr. Anand. P.R, BHMS, MD, MCA, MBA
Chief Medical Officer (NC),
Department of Homoeopathy, Government of Kerala.
Cell: 91- 9495533522

Introduction:
National capital Delhi is witnessing the worst outbreak of dengue this year with more than 1,800 cases of dengue having been reported in Delhi till September 12, 2015, even as the government attempts to contain the outbreak. Official data showed that more than 600 cases were reported in the last week alone. With 776 cases, North Municipal Corporation reported the highest number cases in the capital, followed by the South Corporation with 499 cases. Over 150 cases have been reported in areas under the East Corporation. This article proposes to reveal the role of homoeopathy in mass prophylaxis against dengue so that viable projects are undertaken in this direction.

Scope of Homoeopathy In Preventive Medicine

HOMOEOPATHY – based on the role of similars – is effective in treating all natural diseases. The law of similars in medicine means that the diseases are treated and cured by drugs capable of producing in healthy persons symptoms similar to the disease to be treated. The very same principle adopted in tertiary curative medicine is applied mutatis mutandis in preventive medicine also. In the event of an outbreak of an epidemic a suitable similimum can be found. This similimum known as Genus epidemicus can applied both as a curative in cases and as preventive for containment of the epidemic.

Post epidemic statistical studies on the efficacy of homoeopathic drug ‘Eupatorium Perf’ done by Dr. Anand.P.R, Prof. Hameed Labba et al in 50 lakh population spread over 3 districts in Kerala in 2003 where 20 lakh people had taken homoeopathic preventive medicine showed a protection rate of 86% for the homoeopathic drug. A Rapid action epidemic control cell – homoeopathy (RAECH) was constituted by the government of Kerala in 2004 after observing the protection rate against dengue and viral fevers through the above study. A similar study conducted by the government of Kerala by the department of homoeopathy RAECH in 2007 for epidemic fever reported a overall percentage of protection by homoeopathic preventive medicine was 76.2. This statistical study was done for the whole population of Kerala. The overall odds ratio was 0.46 which was significantly less than one, which indicates that the exposure factor, the homoeopathic preventive had a definitive protective effect. The average protective effect was 63.88% which means those who have used the homoeopathic preventive are 64% less likely to develop the epidemic fever than those who have not used it. Further studies done in subsequent years showed similar statistical results.

Advantages of Homoeopathic Prophylaxis

1. Easily administered, as it is palatable and hence widely acceptable
2. Easy dispensability and distributability ensuring maximum coverage at a very low cost.
3. No cold chain required for distribution and storage to retain the potency of the drug.
4. No bad effects or side effects to the drug.
5. Can be used across the spectrum of population, irrespective of age, gender or health status.
6. Preventives can be employed even before the actual outbreak of an epidemic.

Conclusion
Homoeopathy is very effective in preventing this dengue outbreak. Impartial studies in Kerala, in the recent past, have shown its efficacy in protecting against vector borne arboviral epidemics. In the absence of vaccinations for dengue and prevention still dragging at the level of vector controlling measures, the government of Delhi can assess this proposal and utilize the services of a highly effective epidemic control therapeutic option provided by homoeopathy.