Ernakulam reports 20,000 fever cases in 23 days; highest in 6 months

Kochi: More than 20,000 fever cases have been reported in Ernakulam in 23 days in June this year and it is the highest number of fever cases being reported in a month in the past six months.

Meanwhile dengue fever cases, according to health officials, started to decline in high-risk areas. Hence, they have shifted health staff deployed in high-risk areas earlier to non-high-risk areas. “If rain continues to be intermittent, dengue cases will rise again,” said a health official.

The district development committee meeting convened on Saturday decided to strengthen preventive measures at regional level to prevent the spiraling of contagious diseases including dengue. Authorities concerned should ensure that cattle farmers, MGNREGS workers, farmers and cleaning workers consume doxycycline tablets to prevent leptospirosis.

As part of mosquito source reduction activities, fogging, spraying and clearing bushes on the roadside will be carried out. Officials have been asked to speed up the works in places where communicable diseases are reported in large numbers.

KWA has been asked to clear their unwanted pipelines, which are source of mosquitoes, from roadsides. Fisheries department has been asked to ensure no water is getting accumulated in country boats and fibre boats in coastal areas.

Dry day will be observed on Friday in schools, Saturday in offices and Sunday in houses to clear mosquito breeding sources.

The meeting also discussed sterilization of stray dogs. Two animal birth control (ABC) centres in Vadavukode and Mulanthuruthy blocks will start functioning from July. One ABC centre will be set up at Brahmapuram adjacent to the existing facility.

Vypeen MLA K N Unnikrishnan has demanded to make the cyclone shelter at Pallipuram functional by arranging basic facilities.