THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though a weak monsoon has been conducive for the capital not to have trouble from water logging, it’s another story with dengue and leptospirosis cases which have been high from mid-June. For instance, on Thursday around 18 new dengue cases were reported in government clinics across the district.
The magnitude could be even higher based on the assumption that all cases are not reported to government authorities. Between January and May 2016, two persons died and around 345 dengue cases have been reported in the capital. Similarly, three persons have died and 96 others have been confirmed leptospirosis cases. The first dengue death during the monsoon was that of Varghese, 65 of Chettivilakom on June 3.
“There is high prevalence of the disease on the banks of Parvathi Puthanar. I have had dengue and dermatology problems. We want to leave our house at Vallakkadavu and shift to another place but are emotionally attached to our ancestral place,” said Sheeja R a local resident. Dengue cases this week were reported particularly at places like Thiru-vallom, Perumpazhathoor, Vilappil, Poonth-ura,Vattiyoorkavu, Karakulam, Kochuveli, Vizhinjam, Chettivi-lakom, Vellanad, Chengal, Beemapalli, Poonthura, Kanjirampara, Karakulam, Kattakkada and Vellarada.
Around seven to 17 cases Leptospirosis case are reported in the capital everyday. Thiruvananthapuram also has the dubious distinction of topping in Chikunguniya cases. Thiruvananthapuram had 37 confirmed cases and 42 suspected cases of Chikunguniya whereas the number of cases recorded in other districts are in single digits.
The numbers of people visiting the Out Patient section of government hospitals with fever has gone up from around 5000 to 8,000 in May to between 13,000 and 16,000 this week. “In places like Karakulam and Vattiyoorkavu where multiple cases were recorded, camps were set up. A Fever unit has been established at Medical College Hospital. There will be facilities to check the blood of those affected. Treatment and follow up care will be given,” health officials said.
