KOCHI: There has been an appreciable fall in the outbreak of communicable diseases, including dengue, H1N1 and rat fever, in the district compared to the year-ago period when the infections had reached endemic levels. This is attributed to the well chalked-out efforts and preventive measures initiated by the district administration and the health authorities.
The campaign has been most effective in the case of dengue infections which has come down by more than 50 per cent.
According to Health Department data, while 204 confirmed dengue cases were reported between January 1 and June 30, 2017, only 100 confirmed cases were reported during the same period this year.
As many as 55 confirmed cases of rat fever were reported during the period last year, which has now come down to just 13. The efforts were very effective in the case of H1N1 infections as only one person has been diagnosed with the disease so far this year, against the 204 confirmed cases during the period last year. Also, no typhoid case has been reported so far, while the number of confirmed cases was 53 last year. Waterborne diseases like Hepatitis A have been reported in only 30 people, while it was 84 last year.
However, there has been a slight increase in the number of chicken pox and diarrhoea cases. While around 800 people were diagnosed with chicken pox last year, the number has increased to 842 this year. Last year, 17,439 people had diarrhoea, which has gone up to 18,990 this time.
The District Collector and the District Medical Officer had made a joint appeal to the people to follow the treatment protocol issued to ensure no death happens owing to communicable diseases or endemic outbreak. Though there has been a major drop in the number of confirmed cases, the DMO, in a note, has stressed on the importance of maintaining vigil against the spread of epidemics. The DMO also urged people to approach hospital if they show signs of fever instead of resorting to self-treatment.
Healthy plans
The campaign has been most effective in the case of dengue infections which has come down by more than 50 per cent.
The District Collector and the DMO had made a joint appeal to the people to follow the treatment protocol issued to ensure no death happens owing to communicable diseases