Telangana shivers under viral fever grip

​Hyderabad/Warangal: Following incessant rains, there has been steep increase in the number of viral cases in Telangana state. More than 1,000 patients visited Fever Hospital in Hyderabad on Monday and 20 patients were admitted.

Common cold, fever, gastrointestinal infections and malaria are commonly reported diseases. Doctors said that the current outbreak is caused by a mild viral strain. Even private hospitals are full as people are showing up with fever. The situation was equally bad in Gandhi and Osmania Hospital.

The wet weather is ideal for bacteria and viruses to multiply. “The air is chock-a-block with viruses and people need to be careful and cautious,” said Dr Ratnalekha, RMO, Fever Hospital. Minister for Health K Laxma Reddy visited Osmania Hospital and reviewed the situation.

Doctors said that a running or blocked nose is something that a lot of people complain of during the season. Dr Suresh, a private practitioner, said, “vomiting and stomach-ache are symptoms of gastrointestinal infection and people should be careful while consuming water and food from roadside vendors.”

In Warangal district, both urban and rural areas are under attack from viral fevers and the situation has turned grim in view of the recent torrential rains.

The hospitals in rural areas and in the towns are full with patients suffering from viral fevers. The fever wards at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital (MGMH) in Warangal are full with viral fever patients. Most of the patients being admitted to MGMH are from Mahabubabad, Kesamudram, Nekkonda, Annaram Sharief, Jangaon and Station Ghanpur. The incidence of fever is also high in areas like Kapuwada, Brahmanwada, besides many slums in Warangal.

According the doctors at MGMH, during last one week eight positive dengue cases have been found.
A few incidents of Japanese encephalitis (JE) or brain fever cases are also being reported, informed the district medical and health officer (DMHO) Dr B Sambasiva Rao.

According to him, so far 105 dengue cases and 258 malaria cases are reported so far this season in Warangal district. Due to delay in identifying the cause of fever, three deaths occurred. Nonetheless, the situation is now under control. The health department is closely monitoring situation in rural areas and cases coming to MGM Hospital, he said.

Speaking to The Hans India the DMHO informed said that they have started a campaign to tackle the menace of viral fevers since Sept 20 and organising health camps in rural areas.

Special health camps have been conducted at 69 primary health centres, including 17 centres located in agency villages. In order to handle the situation in Warangal city health camps are being conducted and several 104 emergency ambulances have been deployed.

GWMC Mayor N Narender informed that the corporation has launched effort on war footing basis to prevent spread of viral fevers as several dengue fever cases are reported in Warangal. Health camps are being conducted covering all municipal divisions under 12 PHCs in Warangal.

Mahabubabad MP A Seetaram Naik is also undergoing treatment for viral fever at a private hospital. Deputy CM K Srihari and others called on the MP and enquired about his health.