Dengue stings Khammam district

Khammam: Khammam district alone had recorded 1,349 Dengue cases and over 100 in Kothagudem district, according to officials. Though the officials discounted the reports of deaths due to dengue, unconfirmed reports spoke of 10 deaths so far.

Apart from dengue cases, a total of 103 chikungunya and 15 malaria cases were also been reported, informed sources said. As many as 2,961 patient suffering from viral fevers visited Government Hospital in Khammam.

After conducting enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, it was found that 1,349 positive cases of dengue. Nearly sixty percent of the patients suffering from either dengue or other fevers landed at the Government Hospital.

District Medical and Health Officer, Dr Kalvathi Bhai, speaking to The Hans India said no death was reported due to dengue fever in the district. She said the all measures were taken to prevent the spread of viral fevers in the villages.

Fogging and health camps are being held in all villages. Nearly 650 cases dengue case were recorded after the complete ELISA tests. Special wards have been set up in government hospital for patients, she added.

In Kothagudem district, around 400 malaria cases, 100 dengue cases were reported. Not less than 60 per cent of cases reported at hospitals in Kothagudem, Bhadrachalam, Yellandhu and Palvoncha main hospitals were viral fevers. Though the health officers claimed that no death was reported due to dengue, the District Medical and Health officer Bhaskar Naik evaded answers to questions posed by reporters.

However, Dr Koti Reddy, District Headquarter Hospital Superintendent, told The Hans India said that only 10 dengue cases were reported in Bhadrachalam and Kothagudem divisions. Meanwhile, the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Project Officer V P Gouthm held a meeting with all medical officers, supervisors, and officers at his chambers in Bhadrachalam.

He directed the officials to concentrate on preventing the spread of dengue and malaria cases in the Agency areas. He also ordered the officers to conduct medical camps and conduct awareness camps in all villages which are under 13 primary health centres.

Tribal leader K Ramesh demanded that the government announce health emergency in the agency. He said a large number of people are suffering from seasonal fevers in erstwhile Khammam district. Nearly 10 persons died due to dengue, he said.