Diseases arrive with pre-monsoon showers

KOCHI: The arrival of pre-monsoon showers have set the alarm bells ringing, as the eastern region of Muvattupuzha  reporting six cases of dengue and malaria this month.  The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) cell has reported 15 such cases from this region since January.“The first five cases of dengue were reported  from Kadavoor followed by similar instances from Kothamangalam, Koothattukulam, Kumarapuram and Punnekkadu. This cannot be taken lightly as the incidence of such cases are rising even in the pre-monsoon season,” officials said.The laxity of the health department has exacerbated the issue. “The unavailability of accurate data posed a serious challenge to the health department in taking the necessary action. Health reports from the primary health centres have not reached the department and absence of vital data lead to the inaction. There was also a case of Japanese encephalitis in Manjalloor panchayat. The case would have nearly gone unreported as the patient was admitted to the Kottayam Medical College,” they said. “Since these areas are vulnerable to vector and water prone diseases, proper intervention from the health authorities is a must. The region has a number of water bodies and pig farms. Besides this, the number of migratory birds flocking to this hilly region is high. This could potentially aggravate the condition. The private hospitals also should come under scrutiny in order to enumerate the cases. Emergency measures should be taken up by block and gram panchayat to create awareness,” they said. When asked, DMO R Sudhakaran also confirmed  the graveness of the situation. “The health department is doing its level best to rein in the situation. We have already started the inspection. The Primary Health Care centres across the district have been alerted,” he added.