Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
Spurt in malaria, rat fever cases in Tamil Nadu
Nalini RavichandranFirst Published : 23 Aug 2010 02:52:41 AM ISTLast Updated :
CHENNAI: Half-dug roads, stagnant water and heaped garbage have drained out the smile that rains brought on Chennaiites as the civic woes have resulted in a spurt in seasonal fever, malaria and leptospirosis in the city.
Dr Rajendran, medicine in-charge and director, Department of Internal Medicine, the Government General Hospital, said that in the past two weeks there has been a surge in the cases of malaria and leptospirosis, apart from cases of viral infection. While those with lesser immunity have continuous wheezing and upper respiratory tract problems, there are many who have reported acute viral infection. Water contamination is a big issue, he said, adding that stagnated water in low lying areas is a major trigger. Cases of malaria are expected to rise further, once the rains stop, he pointed out.
His word of caution for general physicians is to be on the look out for leptospirosis (rat fever), as there are enough chances for it to break out in the city. The number of patients reporting allergic reactions and diarrhea are also on the rise, he added.
Dr Pupa, Huma Speciality Centre, pointed out that most cases of diarrhea have been reported from the low-lying and inundated areas in North Chennai like Tondiarpet and Washermenpet.
Across Tamil Nadu there has been an increase in rain-related illnesses and the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) is planning to carry out surveillance to address the issue in various districts. Dr Porkai Pandian, Director of DPH, told Express that in the past one week, there were more than 20,000 cases of seasonal flu alone reported in Tamil Nadu. And in the last two days, the average number of cases has risen to more than 3000 in a day in Chennai alone.
He said that health workers would be alerted to spread awareness of the various precautionary measures to be taken by the public to prevent such diseases.
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/spurt-in-malaria-rat-fever-cases-in-tamil-nadu/200374.html
Nalini RavichandranFirst Published : 23 Aug 2010 02:52:41 AM ISTLast Updated :
CHENNAI: Half-dug roads, stagnant water and heaped garbage have drained out the smile that rains brought on Chennaiites as the civic woes have resulted in a spurt in seasonal fever, malaria and leptospirosis in the city.
Dr Rajendran, medicine in-charge and director, Department of Internal Medicine, the Government General Hospital, said that in the past two weeks there has been a surge in the cases of malaria and leptospirosis, apart from cases of viral infection. While those with lesser immunity have continuous wheezing and upper respiratory tract problems, there are many who have reported acute viral infection. Water contamination is a big issue, he said, adding that stagnated water in low lying areas is a major trigger. Cases of malaria are expected to rise further, once the rains stop, he pointed out.
His word of caution for general physicians is to be on the look out for leptospirosis (rat fever), as there are enough chances for it to break out in the city. The number of patients reporting allergic reactions and diarrhea are also on the rise, he added.
Dr Pupa, Huma Speciality Centre, pointed out that most cases of diarrhea have been reported from the low-lying and inundated areas in North Chennai like Tondiarpet and Washermenpet.
Across Tamil Nadu there has been an increase in rain-related illnesses and the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) is planning to carry out surveillance to address the issue in various districts. Dr Porkai Pandian, Director of DPH, told Express that in the past one week, there were more than 20,000 cases of seasonal flu alone reported in Tamil Nadu. And in the last two days, the average number of cases has risen to more than 3000 in a day in Chennai alone.
He said that health workers would be alerted to spread awareness of the various precautionary measures to be taken by the public to prevent such diseases.
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/spurt-in-malaria-rat-fever-cases-in-tamil-nadu/200374.html