Rise in waterborne diseases

KHAMMAM: Lack of measures taken by administration and polluted drinking water has led to a rampant increase in water borne diseases across the district.

According to official records, over 576 malaria, 20 dengue, 250 typhoid and 350 diarrhoea cases have been detected across the district. Tribals of Bhadrachalam, Palvoncha, Yellandu and Kothagudem divisions are suffering  from malaria and typhoid.

Tribals from remote villages in the Agency area are unable to admit patients to nearby primary health centres due to lack of transportation facilities. Moreover, continous rains makes it more difficult for them to commute.

Dr Ravi Kumar, from Bhadrachalam, said that due to consumption of polluted water, people have become vulnerable to these diseases.

Water supplied to villages through pipelines under protected water schemes are leaking due to which mud gets mixed with  drinking water. So, people who are consuming are affected with typhoid and diarrhoea.

There is a lack of awareness about the effects of stagnant water around houses and sanitation among villagers due to which malaria is spreading, said Dr A Rambabu, district malaria officer.

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