On a fever pitch

KOCHI: Fears are riding high as the district has come once again under the grip of fever and other diseases, primarily waterborne. Though the authorities concerned assured that they are taking every possible step to prevent any outbreaks, the alarm bells have started to ring as the district has shown a steep rise in the number of diseases registered when compared to the previous years. The danger is increasing as the number of death cases is also on the rise.There have been 115 Hepatitis A cases registered this year, out of which 89 were registered this month. In all, 12 dengue fever cases and one death were reported this month. Out of the 84 leptospirosis cases registered this year, 10 cases were reported this month including one death. Of the 60 cases of typhoid reported  mostly from the areas of Mattancherry, two were reported this month. Twelve cases of Malaria and 39 cases of chickenpox were also reported this month.  The authorities concerned also confirmed that diarrhoea is the most common disease which is found in the district. “Most of these diseases which are curable are getting out of control as most of the people are resorting to self medication,” said  P N Sreenivas, District Health Officer (Rural). “We are making a lot of efforts to create an awareness, but in vain. People should realise it by themselves. Moreover, the possibility of  diseases getting spread is high as the water in the district is contaminated. Taking extreme care is the only alternative,” he said. K M Shasikumar, another official from the Health Department said: “The absence of the availability of proper sanitation facilities in the district is another reason. Most of the cases are reported from the eastern part of the district, especially Kothamangalam.” The places in and around Kothamangalam are the focal points of the outbreak of diseases. The Kuroor Canal is fully contaminated. Most of the tribal settlements in the district are totally devoid of proper sanitation facilities. “Urinating in the open spaces has become common. As a result, the human excreta is getting mixed with the surface water which has aggravated the issue,” he said.