Hyderabad, July 19: With the monsoons slowly looming over the city, the Hyderabad district authorities are gearing up to meet the onset of waterborne diseases. According to officials at the District Medical Health Department, a comprehensive action plan is presently being put into motion to combat possible outbreaks of water and vector-borne diseases in the city.
Speaking to the Hyderabad District Medical Health Officer, Ch Jayakumari revealed that “along with viral diseases, the district is prone to cholera, diarrhoea and mosquito-linked diseases around this time of the year.” She added to say that “while a workshop has been conducted with medical officers and staff in 72 hospitals in Hyderabad district, the workers under the Anganwadi and Asha heads have also been incorporated into the action plan.” With water contamination and mosquito-driven diseases like malaria, encephalitis and dengue posing a risk in the lowlying areas in the Twin Cities, Jayakumari indicated that “the Fever Hospital, along with other government hospitals will be on the watch for possible outbreaks.” To this effect, she added to state that “DDT fogging teams are being readied, alongside paramedical and rapid response units to tackle issues at the local level.” Incidentally, the District Medical Health Department had conducted a malaria awareness month in June, “while high risk areas in the city pockets have been identified, based on last year’s data.” An AEDES survey, for detecting risk of hemorrhagic dengue has also been conducted, with the help of the GHMC.
Jayakumari revealed that areas in Tolichowki, Golconda and Musheerabad, among others have shown “lowered mosquito larvae count.” She cautioned that areas like Jiyaguda, along with pockets in the Old City like Agapura, Sultan Bazar, along with areas in Borabanda, Indiranagar are still prone to dengue and malarial outbreaks, and that a “weekly camp is being organised in these areas to combat the issue, while raising public awareness.” The temple areas, often crowded with people, especially during Bonalu were also monitored, she added. Removal of stagnant water and observance of ‘dry day’, by clearing standing water in areas on a weekly basis are also being conducted, in alliance with the Water and Sewerage Board. Additionally, areas in Narayanguda would also be checked for chlorination levels, while the chlorination in the major areas in and around the Old City have already been completed.
The Health Official however warned that the onus of clearing standing water still lies with individuals and that water should not be left to stagnate around the household. Coordination meetings with the various departments like the Sewerage and Water Board, the GHMC and the Health Department are also being conducted in this regard on a weekly basis.
“The Department in this regard would continue with local level awareness campaigns, and individuals are requested to approach the local administration for assistance and clarifications on safety precautions in the monsoons,” she signed off.
–Agencies–