Influenza too causing concern

Influenza too causing concern

mangaloretoday.com

Mangaluru June 20,2016 : With cases of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue on the rise, many more people are visiting private and government hospitals for blood tests even though they are only exhibiting symptoms of fever and influenza.

Many have been visiting the government and private hospitals in Belthangady, Sullia and Puttur for check ups. The Kadaba Primary Health Centre has been getting an average of 150 cases of fever every day. On Saturday, the Health Centre got as many as 167 cases of fever.

There has been a spike in the number of cases of dengue and malaria in June. In the first six months of 2015, there were as many as 261 cases of dengue in the city. Of these, 209 cases alone were reported in the month of June.

This year, as many as 225 cases of dengue have been reported in the period between January 1 and June 17. Of this, 92 cases were reported in June. There have been four cases of death of persons tested positive for dengue in this month.

As many as 3,520 cases of malaria have been reported in the last five months of this year as compared to 3,054 cases reported in the same period last year. On an average, 600 cases of malaria were reported in the months of June and July last year.

District Disease Surveillance Officer B.V. Rajesh said that along with cases of dengue and malaria, there are more cases of influenza being reported.

“With reports of deaths of persons suspected to have dengue, there is a concern among those suffering from influenza and fever too. These can be cured with antibiotics,” he said.

Dr. Rajesh said that positive cases of dengue are being reported from the same areas in Puttur, Belthangady and Sullia where measures to curb the spread of the diseases were being taken following reports of infections.

“We emptied water cans in each of the arecanut plantations where mosquitoes were found breeding. A few days ago we went to the same areas and found cans in which mosquitoes were breeding,” he said, adding that awareness drives to clear fields of vector breeding spots have not proved effective enough.


There is concern among those suffering from influenza and fever too, but these can be cured with antibiotics