Rapid Action Force to curb outbreaks

With the onset of monsoons, cases of water-borne and vector-borne diseases show an increase. Following deaths of three children at D Saalundi village, Mysore taluk during the last monsoon seasons, department of Health and Family Welfare of the district has taken measures to tackle such cases this year.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, District Health Officer, Dr H T Puttaswamy said that a Rapid Action Force has been formed at the district level to respond to cases of dengue, cholera, chikungunya or other vector borne diseases, if any are reported in parts of the district. The Force, will consist of an entomologist, a medical officer, one senior health inspector and two junior health inspectors.

The Force will visit areas where water-borne or vector-borne diseases are reported and take measures to prevent the diseases from spreading, he said.

Larval survey

Instructions were issued to all DHOs, during a meeting with the Health Minister, held on May 28 to conduct larval surveys in various parts of the district. The survey was conducted to provide an indication about surface water breeding mosquitoes.

“The door to door survey was conducted by the department with help from nursing  students. During the survey, residents were made aware of the precautionary measures necessary to prevent mosquito breeding near the houses,” he said. The survey report has already been submitted to the State government, he said.

Diarrhoea

Water scarcity appears to have taken a toll in some villages of the district, with an outbreak of diarrhoea during May in Shettanayakanahalli village in Mysore taluk, during May. Disclosing the incident, Puttaswamy said that the outbreak was now under control. He attributed the outbreak to a contaminated water tank, from which the villagers used to draw drinking water.

Ruling out the repeat of another ‘D Saalundi’, he said that the department is extra vigilant this year. Handbills have also been distributed in 137 Primary Health Center limits in the district, he added.

Dr D G Nagaraj, Health Officer of Mysore City Corporation said that larval surveys were also conducted in city limits. “We have also taken measures to spry anti-malarial sprays in few areas where mosquito breeding is high,” he said.