Monsoon-related diseases on the rise

KOCHI: The number of viral fever cases reported by the District Medical Office on Thursday was 1,378 for the entire district. Although over a thousand cases are reported every day, the number of fever cases with likely symptoms of any of the notified four fever types are usually less than one percent, said R. Sudhakaran, Deputy Medical Officer.

The number of fever cases reported last week had varied from below 500 to about 1,000. About 99 cases of diarrhoea have been reported from the district.

Every panchayat and municipality would observe a weekly dry day, during which stagnant water collected in open containers, coconut shells or unused tyres would be emptied. Peoples participation in these activities is most important, said Dr. Sudhakaran.

The message is being passed on to households through school children by making announcements during the school assembly regarding monsoon diseases and the precautions that needs to be taken by each citizen.