Times of India
25 May 2010
Bangalore, India

Pre–Monsoon Season Sees Huge Rise In Fever Cases
Along with the hope of reservoirs getting filled and parched agricultural lands seeing fresh green shoots, premonsoon season brings with it some miseries too. There is a an increase in the number of viral fever cases reported from hospitals in the city and various parts of the state.

Long queues at the out–patient departments of government hospitals and increasing waiting list of patients at private hospitals indicate the same. At Bowring Hospital and Lady Curzon Hospital, 40 viral fever cases are confirmed a day on an average. As on Monday, 22 persons with severe symptoms of viral fever have been admitted and put on IV fluids.

Similarly, at K C General Hospital, an average of 30 viral fever patients are being attended everyday. Not surprisingly, there has been a significant rise in chikungunya lapse cases. With the recent rain providing an opportunity for mosquitoes to breed, dengue and fever with dengue–like symptoms are also increasing.

According to BBMP chief health officer Dr L T Gayatri, in 113 BBMP hospitals and dispensaries, there have been a regular flow of viral fever cases with more than 100 cases being reported everyday. From the BBMP hospitals alone, 22 dengue and 27 positive chikungunya cases have been reported.

Precautionary measures are being taken in the city and across the state to prevent the spread of the diseases. The district programme officers, health officers and staff at PHCs have been alerted to create awareness about precautionary measures.

STATE PICTURE
Communicable diseases are on the rise and a state–wide warning has been issued by the State Surveillance Unit (SSU). According to the SSU, 23 out of the 29 districts in the state are affected by gastroenteritis caused mainly due to lack of access to clean drinking water.

On Monday, SSU director Dr Vasudeva Murthy told TOI: "Our fortnight analysis from across the districts at the surveillance unit is showing significant rise in the communicable diseases. We have issued a warning to the district programme officers to take precautionary measures."

According to SSU, most significantly, malaria cases are increasing tremendously, especially in districts like Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Tumkur, Kolar, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi urban, Chitradurga and Bellary. Recently, outbreak of malaria cases to a magnitude of 800 cases per day was reported from Upper Krishna project area in Bagalkot.

Chikungunya cases are also on the rise in districts like Gadag, Bidar, Yadgir, Hassan, Belgaum and Kolar.Influenza–like illnesses are predominant in Mysore, Mandya and Belgaum. Though H1N1 flu cases have drastically reduced,there have been sporadic flu related deaths reported from private hospitals in Bangalore, Mysore and Davanagere.

STOP THE VIRUS
Use only clean and safe drinking water
Avoid stagnant water and control mosquito breeding
Maintain the cleanliness of water sources
Promote hygienic sanitary facilities