Kannur: Filariasis carrying migrant labourers are a cause for worry in Kannur district. The mobility of the labourers from place to place is giving a headache to health authorities. In January, two positive cases of filariasis have been reported in the district, both migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh. This has set the alarm bell ringing for health officials as last year all the 77 filariasis carriers reported in the district were migrant labourers. “It is difficult to trace them as they keep on moving. Last year, it was established that they had got the infection from their home states,” said district malaria officer Dr Shini K.K.
Health authorities have formed a five-member team especially for screening guest workers. Special timings have been allotted at district hospitals in Kannur, Thalassery and the taluk hospitals in Taliparamba and Payyanur to check the blood samples between 8 pm and 10 pm. Last year, Baavuparambu in Kurumathur panchayat had been identified with 14 cases of filariasis carriers.
“Based on the cases in 2016, we have made all arrangements to make the migrant labourers undergo health check-up. Frequent visits to their camps in major areas such as Kannur, Taliparamba, Thalassery, Payyannur and Valapattanam are being carried out,” said district medical officer (DMO) K. Narayana Naik. They have also launched an awareness campaign in places with a sizeable presence of migrant population.
