Dengue, viral influenza epidemic feared in district

The dengue, viral communicable influenza is spreading at an alarming rate in the district calling for an instant control on mosquito breeding and more importantly maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.

District Health Officer Dr Rohini told Deccan Herald that when compared to malaria, dengue is spreading rampantly across the district and there is need to create awareness among public over the control and curing measures of influenza. She said as many as 479 were tested for the viral fever, of which 108 were tested positive. She said the influenza is widespread all over the district. In June, 188 were tested and 79 were positive cases.

However, there is no death reported across the district, she added. The cases are largely found in the peri-domestic and urban area and in the regions like Udupi city bus stop area, Sheeribidu, Ajjarkadu, Brahmavar and Avarse. The symptom of the influenza is bone breaking fever. The source reduction in possible and feasible way would be the permanent remedy. The ‘aedes aegypti’ is the mosquito that would breed in the small containers comprising water. Water should be allowed to flow freely and should not be stagnant. The fogging and anti larvae spray should be avoided. The children and people aged above 65 should be taken care against the viral disease, as they are most prone to the risk.

Respiratory illness

DHO said H1NI influenza has come down in the district, as respiratory illness is less when compared to fever. The seasonal influenza could be avoided by taking acute precautionary measures while infected with respiratory illness. As many as 64 cases were reported positive from January to June and five deaths were reported. In the month of June, 31 were tested, three positive cases and two deaths were reported. The one deceased was 72 years old localite and was treated for H1NI in Dr T M P A Pai hospital and died in KMC, Manipal due to pneumonia on June 4.

The other patient was from Mumbai who was infected while travelling to Lakshadweep. The 33 years old died in KMC on June 24.  One patient is undergoing treatment in KMC Manipal and is completely out of danger. She said the instruction of precautionary measures have been dispatched to all schools. The tamiflu tablets are in abundance.

There are 20 tablets in PHCs, 50 in CHCs, 100 in taluk hospitals and 200 in district hospital. The symptom is fever with either coughs or sore throat. The observation period would be 36 hours.

Bed capacity

The H1NI wards are available in KMC Manipal with isolation ICU, which is ten bedded capacity. The district and taluk hospitals also comprise of H1NI wards with 10 and five beds capacity respectively. The people with respiratory illness should use napkins while sneezing and coughing in order to avoid the spread of the influenza. The health care providers are injected with vaccination, the DHO said.

As many as 94407 were tested for malaria, of which 526 are tested positive since January to June, there are no deaths reported. In June, as many as 16955 were tested and 153 are reported positive. The areas like Moodabettu, Malpe, Manipal and peri-urban areas are most susceptible to malaria. It is largely found is construction sites and fishing harbors. The awareness programme is continuously carried out all through the district, the DHO added.