KOCHI: With temperatures rising, Ernakulam district has been witnessing a surge in communicable diseases, especially in dengue and fever cases. In the past couple of days, 43 dengue cases were confirmed, drawing attention to the need to intensify preventive action across the district.
Compared to the data reported during the months of August and September last year, the number of people who sought treatment for various communicable diseases during the same period this year has been high, setting alarm bells ringing among health department officials.
After the mid-August monsoon rains, the district has not witnessed major rainy days, except for a couple days in the first week of September. The sporadic rain had caused water stagnation in many places, creating favourable conditions for the spread of vector-borne diseases, according to officials. They also cited the rising heat, amid unseasonal climatic conditions, as a major reason for the spread of diseases like dengue.
“The rise in dengue and other epidemic cases could be attributed to two factors: improved reporting of cases and a lack of preventive measures. The reporting of new cases has increased as panchayat-level surveillance has been effective.
At the same time, there is a need to intensify source reduction activities, for which we have initiated projects under the Arogyabheri programme,” District Medical Officer Shahirsha R said. He added that all 86 panchayats in the district had started implementing activities to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases.
The activities include cleaning of water sources, chlorination, awareness programmes especially targeting vulnerable sections like pregnant women and the elderly. Healthcare workers and Asha workers have been taking up door-to-door awareness sessions as part of Arogyabheri.
The DMO added that poor quality of water was also a factor in the spread of diseases. People are advised to drink only boiled water. The district medical office has issued instructions to ensure proper fogging in all vulnerable regions.
Meanwhile, sources in the health department noted that fever and dengue cases are expected to rise during the northeast monsoon, a period when the state receives intermittent rain.