Kakinada: Even as floods are receding in East and West Godavari districts, viral fevers have broken out in agency areas, mainly due to contamination of water. The affected people are suffering from extreme fatigue and body aches. Some of them, who have undergone tests at private diagnostic laboratories, have been informed that they are suffering from dengue.
However, medical and health officials in the two districts have countered reports of dengue outbreak. They maintain that this disease can be confirmed only through Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) tests. Facility of ELISA is available only in government general hospitals at Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada and Eluru. Officials feel the symptoms people of agency areas are complaining of could be due to typhoid.
“Cases of viral fever are being reported in high numbers from all primary health centres. Adequate medicines have been supplied to the PHCs for dealing with the same,” said Dr. I. Rajiv, Kukkunuru divisional health officer in West Godavari district. He disclosed that 30–40 cases are being reported on an average in this division.
Dr. Rajiv said all patients suffering from fever are also being tested for Covid-19 and provided treatment based on their ailment. He maintained that percentage of Coronavirus patients is very low.
Chinturu medical and health officer Dr. Pullaiah said all steps are being taken to curb viral fevers at the PHCs. Every Friday, medical and health personnel are visiting every house in their respective areas to advise people about not leaving any stagnant water around to check breeding of mosquitoes. Anti-mosquito sprays are also being deployed in an effort to eliminate mosquitoes.
Meanwhile, medical and health officials are creating awareness among people about using mosquito nets for their own safety. They are going from house to house and tying mosquito nets on windows and doors of houses. “People should change their attitude and become more conscious about their health,” said an officer of Chinturu ITDA.
