Kozhikode: Govt gears up to foil epidemics

Kozhikode: In the water ravaged districts, the health department is keenly watching on the soon to be formed stagnated water which would bring about a plethora of diseases. Stagnated water causing mosquito breeding sources, leptospirosis and water-borne diseases are the possible fallout expected in the post-flood scenario.

"Medical teams are deployed in all relief camp to provide any type of assistance. Besides, once water recedes, there is possibility of outbreak of disease and preparation for that is on," said Director of Health Services (DHS), Dr R.L Saritha. "In many places rivers had flown out of its way, entering new peripheries. The water came gushing out from forests after landslide will contain the secretion of many animals and it might have entered houses as well. All possibilities are there to be cautious," said a top official at National Health Mission (NHM).

 In Wayanad, there is little drainage outlets for water to clear off thus forming swamps. "We have more than 8,000 people at the 144 relief camps in the district. We have distributed essential medicine to all in the camps besides making aware the people on water-borne diseases, particularly diarrhea. IMA is also lending a big help through their team in flood affected area," said Wayanad district medical officer Dr R. Renuka.

According to Dr K.P Aravindan, health activist and former Pathology HoD at Calicut Medical College, stray dogs causing leptospirosis will be a major threat in the post-flood scenario.

"We have plenty of strays and they are the biggest threat in causing the leptospirosis through urinating in water and the bacteria enters the human body through wounds," he said.