VISAKHAPATNAM: City hospitals are recording an increase in the number of malaria, dengue and viral fever cases, thanks to change in weather conditions. At least 10 dengue cases are being reported across the district every day. A total of 66 dengue, 103 malaria and one chuikugunya cases have been reported this month, with tribal communities from agency areas being the worst hit.
Sudden change in weather conditions, with intermittent spells of extreme heat and rain in the last few days has led to the spike in viral fevers and water-borne diseases.
Drains clogged by rain have become breeding grounds for dengue larvae, which thrive in stagnant water. A day after the downpour, drains in KRM Colony and Maddilapalem were cleaned. The amount of plastic waste extracted in the process has become a cause of concern for residents fearing the outbreak of viral infections.
The GVMC has identified malaria, dengue high-risk zones in the city.
According to health officials, though the number of malaria cases has reduced by 60 per cent when compared to last year, the number of dengue cases has increased. A total of 191 dengue and 747 malaria cases were reported from January to June 2018 in the district. In 2017, 983 dengue and 4,836 malaria cases were reported. Health officials are now focusing on dengue.
According to the Epidemic Cell of Visakhapatnam, the number of dengue cases being reported every month is on a gradual rise.
2017 2018
In June 2018