THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With malaria confirmed in Vizhinjam, the district health mission is all out to contain the outbreak even as new cases are detected every other day. Till now, 23 cases of indigenous malaria cases have been reported from the area.
Though the district medical administration has come out with various programmes, the health officials are finding it hard to contain the spread of the disease. Already, a high alert has been issued in the coastal region.
Noting that all steps have been taken to contain the spread of the disease and also to provide treatment to those affected, District Medical Officer (DMO) Nita Vijayan said that mosquito control was one of the major issues that are posing a hurdle in the region.
‘’There are several pockets in the coastal belt which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Though fogging and indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) are being done in the area, there is some opposition from some households, which is posing a problem,’’ she said.
As it is a region facing water scarcity, the people store drinking water. The storage of drinking water is another issue that is posing a hurdle to the health officials. These storage areas could be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
The DMO said that a combing operation was going on in the region to identify people with fever and if malaria is detected, they are referred for further treatment. Apart from the health officials in the region, Vijayan said that 16 health staff from other regions have been deployed here. The PHC at Mukola and CHC Vizhinjam are also well-equipped, she added.
Mukkola, where malaria has been detected, is the region where over the years this infectious disease has been occurring.
Though only 23 malaria cases have been identified so far, there are chances that more cases could be detected in the coming days.
Though the health officials have been asking the people in the region to take preventive measures against mosquito bites, they are least bothered, health department officials said.
Most of the people are least cared for if they fall ill, the officials said, and added that they do not take any treatment.
Officials said that some parts of Mukkola were under the Corporation, where the civic body’s health workers carried out the field activities. In the rest of the areas, field staff of the Health Department were in charge.