KAKINADA: Viral fevers and water-borne diseases gripped Tekubaka village in Kunavaram mandal, Yetapaka division, in the Chinturu agency area of Alluri Sitaramaraju district. Some patients have gone to local primary health centres and to Bhadrachalam for treatment while others are getting treatment in private hospitals.
The medical and health department has send teams to the village to conduct a house-to-house survey of those affected. Officials have come to the conclusion that consuming raw water from the Godavari was the reason for the diseases.
Deputy medical and health officer Dr P. Pullaiah told Deccan Chronicle that diagnostic tests had established that there were no dengue or malaria cases in the village. The fevers were “water-borne’’ due to drinking contaminated water.
He said that medical teams had found 11 people suffering from fever, and a medical camp had been set up which will remain open for a week. The teams were also distributing medicines. Anti-mosquito larva steps were also being taken.
It was said that though there were hand pumps and other arrangements under the rural water supply scheme for drinking water, people were using raw water from the Godavari for drinking.
The officials suggested that NGOs should create awareness among the people of the villages in tribal areas to drink water after processing and explain the consequences if they drink contaminated or raw water.
