Dengue cases on rise in Chittoor district

Tirupati: District Medical and Health department has fully geared to control seasonal diseases. Several places in the district have been witnessing rains due to monsoon effect bringing down the temperature levels. This is causing more worry for both public and officials as dengue, malaria and other diseases may outbreak in such conditions.

The malaria menace is on rise in the district now with poor sanitation in several villages. Significantly, several dengue cases have been reported from Tirupati and surrounding places along with other eastern parts of the district and some places in western parts. So far, more than 20 dengue cases were registered as against 44 in the same period of 2018. However, the district has witnessed maximum number of 421 cases in 2017.

Several patients have been approaching hospitals with complaints of fever. Depending on the symptoms of each case, doctors are performing dengue tests on them and if tested positive, they are kept under observation and treatment is being extended. Needless to say that, dengue fever is caused by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and the normal symptoms include sudden and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, fatigue accompanied by severe muscle and joint pains.

If not treated in early stages, patients will have serious repercussions with respiratory problem, puffiness of the face etc., besides loss of platelets count. All these lead to immunity deficiency which will complicate the health condition of the patient.

The District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) Dr B Ramagiddaiah told The Hans India that nine teams and four vehicles called mobile medical teams for dengue and malaria were deployed. They have been taking up active and passive surveillance activities. Due to severe shortage of water, people are storing the available water in their homes causing mosquito breeding leading to dengue and malaria. The DM&HO has advised the people to maintain cleanliness, which is basic prerequisite. The department has been working with other line departments in creating awareness on maintaining good sanitation and hygiene conditions in all areas to prevent spread of mosquitoes.

The department staff have been identifying mosquito breeding spots and started spraying activities and house-to-house survey was also going on. Apart from Tirupati surrounding areas, Nindra, Vijayapuram, Nagari, V Kota, Palamaner, B Kothakota have become more prone to dengue fevers now.

As the monsoon season continue for another two months, apart from vector borne diseases, water borne diseases such as typhoid, jaundice, gastroenteritis may affect the public due to water contamination.

Along with personal hygiene and sanitation, every Friday has to be observed as dry day to avoid water stagnation. Doctors have been suggesting that people should immediately rush to hospital if they find any fever related symptoms.