Hyderabad: Cases of fever are on the rise in the state with an estimated one lakh people suffering. The Fever Hospital is seeing more than 900 patients daily, and on Monday it had more than 1,200 patients.
Such was the situation that there was no place to sit at the out-patient block and most patients were seen waiting in sheds. Even private hospitals and small clinics are seeing 50 to 100 fever patients every day.
Patients coming with symptoms of high fever, rashes, cold and cough are being put in the mild category. Those with severe symptoms like chills, high grade fever and sore throats are placed in the severe category requiring proper treatment for three to four days.
Fever Hospital superintendent Dr K. Shanker said: “It is very important for patients to know that everyone does not need blood tests for all three diseases — dengue, malaria and swine flu. If high grade fever continues despite treatment for more than four days with chills then malaria must be tested first.”
The fluctuating weather conditions and strong winds are aiding the movement of the viruses, leading to an increase in cases. Adding to this crisis, is the problem of sanitation across small pockets of the city, leading to breeding of mosquitoes.
Senior general physician Dr G. Srinivas said, “The rise in number of dengue cases are because the concept of “dry days” — whereby all water storage containers are emptied and dried on a particular day — is not being followed at all. This concept has helped in the past to deal with the problem of dengue mosquito during the day. But now the GHMC is not being able to implement it though it is an effective prevention method.”
Dengue cases have seen a sharp rise with more than 175 cases being recorded in Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad district till August 14, 2016. Four deaths were recorded in July in the state.
A senior officer of GHMC’s mosquito control wing said, “Insect control is being done through spraying but it also needs cooperation from people — they must not allow water puddles outside homes. This is still not being controlled and awareness needs to be created constantly.” There have been 2,184 malaria cases, 1,185 dengue cases and 14 chikungunya cases till July 2016.
