Measures in full swing to control seasonal diseases

• So far, 28 malaria, 12 dengue cases are reported
• Special drives are taken up to eliminate mosquito breeding
• MMDC clinics providing health education on seasonal diseases

Tirupati: Even though, the seasonal diseases were very much under control in the district, the Medical and Health department has been taking all precautions to prevent the outbreak of any disease. 

Learning from the past experience of 20 deaths last October at Bathalavallam, Chinapanduru of Varadaiah Palem mandal in the district due to viral fevers that drew national attention, the officials were leaving no stone unturned this time. 

District Collector PS Pradyumna has been reviewing the situation in frequent intervals with District Medical and Health department officials and giving instructions. 

DMHO Dr B Ramagiddaiah and District Malaria Officer (DMO) E Husenamma have been closely monitoring the awareness campaign in the district that focussed mainly on sensitive areas. 

This year, 28 cases of malaria and 12 cases of dengue were reported so far with no deaths were taken place as per official records. 

In 2017, 71 malaria cases and 421 dengue cases were reported. With only four months are left for this year to complete, officials were saying that the situation has improved significantly. 

Mobile Malaria and Dengue Clinics (MMDC) were providing health education on seasonal diseases. 

The DMO told The Hans India that the health staff were making door-to-door visit in all municipalities and corporations to find out larva breeding places in and around each house and provide health education to the people on seasonal diseases. 

This would continue till September 30 and will be done intensively with the cooperation of all line departments.

In rural areas, the medical offices and their staff were conducting awareness programmes on the seasonal diseases in their respective PHCs and at Panchayat-level keeping a strict vigil on high risk areas. 

With the help of civic bodies, special sanitation drives have been taken up from time to time to ensure cleanliness everywhere and to see that there should be no water stagnation. 

Anti-larval operations were under full swing to eliminate mosquito breeding. 

The first round of spraying of malathion was completed and second round will complete in about a week time. 

Steps were taken to make the third round of spraying from October 1 as the eastern parts of the district may witness rains during October / November, DMO maintained. Residential schools, hostels were also under priority list to see that they should be clean with no water stagnation. 
Awareness camps being held on the impact of water borne and vector borne diseases and the situation in the entire district was under control, she asserted. 

She also appealed to the people to maintain personal hygiene and sanitation, which can prevent many seasonal diseases and the importance of observing every Friday as dry day should not be undermined.