Malaria, dengue rampant in Kadapa

Kadapa: Malaria and dengue are widespread in urban and rural areas of the district causing grave concern to people. Sanitation has been hit in villages and towns due to heavy rains that lashed the district under the influence of depression.

The stagnation of rainwater in low-lying areas has intensified the mosquito menace. The situation has worsened due to the laxity of municipal and Panchayat Raj officials in improving sanitation in rain affected areas.

Inadequate supply of safe drinking water has also contributed to the outbreak of seasonal and water-borne diseases in many rain-hit villages. One can see piled up garbage heaps and stagnation of rainwater in several colonies in the district headquarters, which gives a clear picture of poor sanitary conditions.

Dengue is rampant in Proddatur, Chennur, Khajipet, Vallur, Vontimitta and other mandals of the district. The government hospitals are flooded with dengue cases. The affected people are finding it difficult to get costly medical treatment at private hospitals.

Some of the patients are forced to go all the way to Bengaluru for better medical treatment incurring huge expenses. According to official sources, the number of viral fever cases reported in the district is more this year compared to last year.

Many villages in the district are facing severe water problem. Drinking water is being supplied to problematic villages through tankers. The storage of water in containers by households in view of the acute shortage has created conducive atmosphere for the growth of mosquitoes.

Many rural people are ignorant of the fact that the mosquito growth can be contained effectively by observing a dry day in a week. It was alleged that the medical and health officials failed to check the spread of viral fevers.

Speaking to The Hans India, Suresh of Proddatur said: “People are frightened with the high incidence of dengue and malaria in the rain-hit villages. The medical and health officials should take urgent measures to curb the spread of viral fevers, besides providing better medical care to the affected people.”

Ramanamma of Lakkireddipalli said: “Sanitation in the rain-hit villages should be improved on a priority basis to check the spread of seasonal diseases. The official machinery should focus on combating the mosquito menace to bring the situation to normal.”

RIMS Director Sasidhar said: “The hospital has been fully geared up to cope with the spurt in viral fever cases in the district following heavy rains. People can protect themselves from getting affected by viral fevers by taking effective preventive measures, including keeping their houses and surroundings clean.”