Diphtheria cases shoot up to 109 in Kozhikode

Kozhikode: Diphtheria and Malaria cases are shooting up in the district, touching 109 on Saturday.   What is more alarming is the increase in the number of indigenous malaria cases, say officials. So far 31 indigenous cases were reported in the district.     Health activists in the district are alarmed by the speed with which the diphtheria is spreading, as per the data of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).

Among the 109 cases, 23 have been confirmed. One more case was reported on Saturday. The highest number of cases was reported in the corporation limits (18). Other areas from where more cases were reported include Cheruppa (12), Cheruvadi (12) and Kuttiadi (10).    The cases reported were only 62 by the end of July. But during the last two weeks, the disease almost doubled, it was pointed out. It is for the first time after a long interval, Diphtheria has been reported in the district.

Malaria cases were reported from Vellayil, Kovoor, Puthiyangadi, Elathur and Koyilandy. District Dengue and Malaria officer K Prakash told Deccan Chronicle that last year it was the Mukkam region from where the highest number of dengue cases were reported whereas this year it was from Puthuppadi- Kodanchery region.  However coming as a breather, is that  there is a dip in the number of Dengue fever cases.  This year so far only 568 cases were reported of which 97 cases have been confirmed, going by the IDSP figures. It is to be recalled that more than 500 cases were reported in June alone last year.