Kurnool: Fear grips Kurnool district as there has been a rise in the number of seasonal diseases. Villagers, tribals and other rural inhabitants living in the vicinity of Nallamalla forest are a worried lot as instances of people falling sick is rising.
People suffering from seasonal diseases like viral fevers, common cold and so on are being forced to get treated in Kurnool government general hospital.
Hospitals in Nandyal have also reportedly registered dengue cases over the last one month, a health official said.
According to unconfirmed reports, about two people have died due to diseases like diarrhea, dengue and viral fever in the past two weeks and nearly 87 more suspected cases have been found to be suffering from its symptoms. The remaining people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the district. People fear that this has the potential to turn into an epidemic and would become a hub of the disease if the officials do not react on time.
At least 100 fresh cases are being reported from various parts of the district everyday exposing the callousness and failure of the district administration in containing the spread of these diseases. District Medical and Health officer Narasimhulu said that they have kept all medicines ready to meet any exigency that may arise out of this situation.
As many as 88 malaria cases, 12 brain fever cases and 87 dengue cases have been registered in the district over the last one month. Cases are being reported from Alur, Yammiganur, Gonegandla, Holagunda, Halaharvi, Nandyal, Kallur, Kodumur, Panyam, Pamulapadu, Atmakur, Srisailam, Chagalamarri and Bandi Atmakur mandals.
There has been widespread criticism that the health officials are not taking the necessary precautionary measures to check the spread of the seasonal diseases.
The officials should conduct screening tests, conduct medical awareness camps and use various social media platforms to campaign and spread awareness about the steps to be taken up for keeping these diseases at bay.
They also need to sensitise people on following personal hygiene and keeping their surroundings clean.
But, there seems to be no such effort taken up by the officials with regards to this.
