Madana of Sedam taluk, though a tiny village in the district, has the highest number of filaria patients in the state.
When this correspondent visited the village bordering Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, he was flabbergasted seeing people roaming around with swollen legs.
Now, the people of this village are accustomed to filaria. “We walk with pain, we suffer from frequent fever and giddiness and these things have become the part and parcel of our life,” said Yakumbri, who has been battling this disease for the past seven years.
Chandamma, a Filaria patient, told Express that there is no other go than to accept the disease.
Sangramappa, a youth from the village said that the unhygienic condition prevailing in the village is the main cause for the disease. Besides, collecting drinking water from taps which are contaminated with dust, walking on dirt-filled roads also contribute for the disease.
District surveillance officer Dr Amaresh Kollur told Express: “Of the total 2,973 people (562 houses) in Madana, 92 people have been identified as filaria-affected. Last year the number was 82. Blood samples of 502 people were tested in November, 2012 and it was found that of the 502 people, 10 were positive cases. If the blood test was done on the entire population, the number would certainly shoot up.” Kolur said that in Madana PHC limits covering 23 villages there were 342 filaria-affected people and in Sedma taluk the number is 1,499, highest in the state.
“Villagers will be made to consume DEC tablets on the National Filaria Day on February 12,” Kollur said.