Hyderabad: The continuous rains in the city have raised the chances of water logging in the available holes and rain triggered ponds, which is contributing to the number of malaria cases reported. Along with this, the number of cases of viral fever is also increasing. The district administration and health authorities are in the process of strengthening the existing action plan to combat seasonal ailments.
According to health officials, around 1,000 cases of Malaria in the last 6 months have been reported from Hyderabad and the districts in the State. Of which roughly 800 cases of Malaria were caused by Plasmodium falciparum, the protozoan parasite transmitted by Anopheles mosquito that causes the acutest form of the disease, which can sometimes lead to the fatal cerebral form of malaria, Telangana today reports.
In order to combat mosquito related diseases, the health authorities and municipal officials are trying to strengthen the Indoor Residual Spray (IRS), which is considered as an important activity to control malaria. Once the mosquitoes get infected with insecticides, their life span gets reduced and they will not become infective.
“Like last year, we are anticipating a sharp jump in dengue, malaria and viral fever cases in the coming months. We are already seeing a spike in cases of gastro, which is due to consuming of contaminated drinking water,” says Superintendent, Fever Hospital, Dr. K Shankar.
Meanwhile, the health authorities said that close to 33, 5711 Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits have already been dispatched for diagnosis of malaria.
Health Minister, Dr. C Laxma Reddy during a review meeting on seasonal ailments on Wednesday said that enough quantity of Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) tablets have been kept at community health centers, urban health posts, and primary health centers. Senior doctors, however, point out that a lot also depends on individuals and families.
“Unless basic precautions are taken at a more individual and family level, it would be very difficult to keep a tab on malaria, dengue, swine flu and viral fevers. Taking basic precautions is mandatory,” Dr Shankar added.