More ASHA workers to rein in epidemic threat

KOCHI: The district health department authorities  have sounded an alarm as the threat of epidemics looms large. Health personnel have been deputed to areas from where dengue fever, chikungunya and other communicable diseases have been reported. After the monsoon intensified, there has been a rapid increase in the  infectious diseases in urban and rural areas. 

The failure of vector control measures, improper waste management and contamination of drinking water are some of the major reasons for the spurt in  the diseases.

As per the district medical office,  as many as 20,250 fever cases were reported during June. Dengue fever cases have been widely reported from the eastern parts of the district like Edakkattuvayal, Vengola, Varappetty and  Kottappady and also from Kalady and Angamaly areas.

A total of 85 dengue cases occurred  during the month. The number of diarrhoea cases is 5,705 while 36 cases of jaundice  and 39 malaria cases were reported besides two H1N1 cases.

On Tuesday alone, 755 fever cases were detected of which 48 patients were admitted to various hospitals.  The number of diarrhoea patients reported in hospitals is 190 of whom four were admitted for further treatment. On Tuesday, two malaria cases were detected in  Kalady.

The  health department authorities claimed that the  diseases could be brought down by the month-end through effective intervention.

“More health workers, ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers have been deployed for vector control, source reduction, garbage management and awareness creation on sanitation and proper use of medicines. Local bodies are also associating with the initiatives,” said sources.