People told to Maintain Hygiene

Ongole: The medical and health department in the Prakasam district called upon the people to follow instructions of officials in order to save themselves from epidemics and viral diseases.

The people in northern area of Prakasam district are dependent on Nagarjunasagar canal water for agriculture and have reliable ground water resources. 

The people in the southern area of the district are dependent on rain fed agriculture and borewells to meet their needs. They rear cattle and are largest suppliers of milk in the district. They earn more income on dairy than the agriculture produce. 

The western area is mostly drought-hit and the people are dependent on orchards. They have no cattle and store drinking water supplied by the panchayats.

NSSV Prasad, the district panchayat officer, said that most of the epidemic outbreaks in the district are observed in the southern area of the district. 

He said that Podili, Darsi and surrounding areas are prone to epidemic diseases like diarrhoea and dengue. He analysed that the dung and urine mixed with the water stagnates beside the houses and they become breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies and helping spreading diseases. 

Though the panchayat staff are trying to educate the public with the help of health department officials, there is not much change in the public, he lamented.

Dr S Rajyalakshmi, the district medical and health officer, said that their staff is already working on the action plan to prevent epidemic outbreaks. She said that they are doing anti-larvae exercise since June 1 by appointing special teams in the district. 

She said that they are asking the people to keep their surroundings clean and see no water is logged on the premises. 

She said that they are advising the people storing drinking water in utensils for a long time to boil, cool and filter them before consuming but she complained that people are not following the suggestions.

When asked if the health department is ready to respond to any sudden outbreak of diseases, she said that they are already conducting medical camps in the district and are ready to face any situation.