Conduct surveys to control vector-borne diseases – health minister

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, Aug 24, 2012: Speaking at a review meeting held yesterday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Arvind Limbavalli instructed the district health department to conduct a house-to-house survey to control mosquito breeding. The survey will help detect the presence of vector-borne diseases such as rat fever, dengue, and H1N1, he added.

Further, he said that the officers of the district medical department, with the assistance of paramedical staff, must conduct house-to-house surveys compulsorily to detect and control vector-borne diseases. He also urged the DC to cancel the licenses of builders who do not provide hygienic facilities to their workers. He directed Manipal University and Nitte Educational Trust to screen foreign students and staff for communicable diseases.

Speaking on the occasion, DHO Dr. Ramachandra Bairy said that no cases of rat fever or endemic fever has been reported in Udupi so far this year, but around 16 cases were reported during the last two years in Khumbhasi in Kundapur, of which four patients died. He said that measures have been taken to check rat fever in the district and create awareness among the people.

Dr. Rohini, district surveillance officer, said that 38 HIN1 cases were reported in 2012 and two of these patients had died. In 2009, 34 cases were reported; in 2010, 41 cases were reported, and in 2011, only six cases were reported.

Further, she said that 22 of the 36 people infected with H1N1 were admitted. Besides, 36 dengue cases were reported, of which 4 are from Udupi, 20 are from Bangalore, and 3 are from Mangalore, she said.

The health minister also directed the DC to take strict action against Charamakki Narayana Shetty Lions Eye Hospital. It may be recalled that 8 people who underwent eye surgeries in this hospital developed severe infection problems and one of them died of cardiac arrest because of stress caused by the evisceration surgery. He also instructed concerned authorities to inspect labs and operation theatres in private hospitals.

Nityananda Nayak, eye surgeon at the District Government Hospital Mobile Opthalmic Unit, said that the operation theatre in Charamakki Narayana Shetty Lions Eye Hospital is now closed because it has been found to be the source of infection.

Later, the minister inaugurated a blood donation camp organized by G. Shankar Family Trust in association with Manipal University and the district administration. Speaking about the shortage of blood in the state, he said the state needs 6.25 lakh units of blood, of which 4 units were collected from various sources. He said that the state has 173 blood banks, of which 110 are private blood banks.

Speaking about the severe shortage of blood donors in the state, he said that more people, especially the youth, must develop the habit of donating blood.