Diseases on the prowl

It’s blazing in Bangalore and the rise in temperature is bringing back communicable diseases. There has been an increase in typhoid, gastroenteritis and jaundice cases in the City. However, these can be prevented if proper precaution is taken.

Dr Rajeeva Moger, internal medicine physician, Apollo Hospitals, says that there has been an increase in typhoid cases compared to last year, with 10 to 20 per cent increase compared to 2012. “I see about two to three cases per week and this has been a stable number for the past three to four months. Even though the numbers may sound insignificant, there is a noticeable increase,” Rajeeva says.

Ask him about the factors that may have contributed to the same and he opines, “The reasons could be scarcity of water and people resorting to options that are not provided by the BWSSB. There are lots of people who buy water from tankers and this water needs to be cleansed thoroughly before usage.”

Dr M B Kiran, who runs Kiran Diagnostic Centre at Kathriguppe Main Road, says, “There is a definite increase in typhoid cases; and if it were to be quantified in percentage, there must be a 50 to 60 per cent increase when compared to last year. I have seen about 60 to 70 cases in March itself.”

Kiran feels that the reasons could be many — from improper drainage facilities
to drainage water polluting the drinking water. Another reason he cites is consumption of food at the increasing number of eateries with unhygienic kitchens and where food is not processed properly.

Kiran opines that typhoid cases are seen more in densely populated areas like Kathriguppe, Ittamadu and Kumaraswamy Layout. He adds, “This season, one can also see diseases like gastroenteritis and viral hepatitis (jaundice).”

Government hospitals seem to have another story to tell. Dr Veerana Gowda, professor and head, department of medicine, Victoria Hospital, details, “Generally, we see an increase in typhoid cases in summer and that is seen this year too. There have been about four to five cases per day in the past month. But comparing figures to last year, there is no increase in numbers.”

Dr Veerana feels that the reasons for increase in typhoid cases in summer could also be from food becoming stale faster, apart from being affected by contaminated water and food. He adds, “To avoid falling prey to typhoid or any such disease, one should always have fresh food.”

An official from the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital says that he has
seen about 10 to 15 cases per month since the beginning of this year. “There is no increase in cases and this is a steady figure. Typhoid is a regular disease during summer time, and water shortage and contamination through food are the major reasons for it,” he says.

Health authorities in the City also talk about the figures seen here and the causes of the disease. Dr Manoranjan Hegde, deputy health officer, BBMP, says, “Water-borne diseases are on a rise in summer. While there have been only five to six cases during monsoon, there have been  10 to 12 cases every month in summer. At the moment, the figures are the same.”

Manoranjan adds, “During summer, people get dehydrated and exhausted soon and they eat and drink anything available. This should be avoided and water should be carried from home, as and when possible.” According to Dr B N Dhanya Kumar, director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services, “Typhoid fever and other
enteric fevers primarily involve person-to-person spread because these organisms lack a significant animal reservoir. Contamination with human faeces is the major mode of spread and the usual vehicle is contaminated water. Occasionally, contaminated food may be the vehicle.”