Dengue And Viral Fever Upsurge In Kerala

In the last 3-5 years several viral fever epidemics occurred in Kerala, resulting in severe physical, financial and mental strain to the community and the Government. According to the Health Department sources in Kerala, as many as 103 people, including women and children, have succumbed to various types of fevers including H1N1, leptospirosis and dengue from January till date.

Of the total 103 deaths, 53 people have died of H1N1 and 13 due to dengue, the sources said. According to the figures, 17,789 people were affected with viral fever across the state on Friday. Thiruvananthapuram district recorded the highest number of cases. Of the 161 confirmed dengue cases reported from across the state, Thiruvananthnapuram topped the list with 62 cases. Ernakulam reported 23, followed by Thrissur 16, Kollam 12, Alappuzha, Kannur and Kasargod, with eight each, Wayanad seven, Malappuram and Kozhikode six each and Pathanamthitta five. The report also said 696 suspected cases of dengue were reported on Friday. The other fever cases reported are Hepatitis A (suspected 246, 39, confirmed 38), Hepatitis B (28), Hepatitis C (7), chicken pox (891) and H1N1 (160).

Environment in the state is badly affected by issues such as scarcity of drinking water, pollution of various kinds and improper waste disposal leading to epidemics and various fever. It is because of the disastrous outcome of the breeding of mosquitoes due to lack of proper garbage treatment coupled with society's irresponsible attitude towards maintenance of hygiene. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that social hygiene and sanitation was essential to keep diseases at bay and political party activists, representatives of local self government institutions and members of socio-cultural outfits and clubs should take part in the sanitation drive on war footing as social hygiene and sanitation was essential to keep diseases at bay.

Stating that the government had already stepped up its sanitation drive with the support of local people, Vijayan said fever cases have reduced in those places where waste management and mosquito control measures have been implemented effectively. He said the government had ensured enough stock of essential medicines and the service of doctors in all government hospitals.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala visited Vijayan at his official residence today and submitted a memorandum with some suggestions to tackle the crisis. He alleged that 117 people had died due to fever in the state since January and an average of 20,000 persons are arriving at state hospitals seeking treatment for fever. "The Health Minister and the department are under slumber while the diseases are spreading without any control. Temporary wards should be opened in all the government hospitals and arrange facilities for the speedy examination of blood samples of patients," Chennithala said.

Refuting the charges, the health minister said the opposition was trying to gain political mileage from the situation. A united effort is needed to overcome the situation, she said in Kochi.

What can be done to prevent the steady rise in spread of viral fevers and diseases in the state of Kerala?

1. The government has taken all measures to ensure proper treatment to all patients in government hospitals by reserving a certain number of beds. Adequate stock of drugs has been ensured in all hospitals.

2. Along with this, Proper waste/ garbage management and keeping our surroundings clean and hygienic are the two essential things, we have to take care of to control the spread of dengue and other communicable diseases .Only a healthy living condition can prevent the fever outbreak taking the form of an epidemic.