KHAMMAM: Notwithstanding warnings from medical and health officials, who are cautioning people against seasonal fevers in September and October, dengue cases are on the rise in Khammam district.
The administration has only been concentrating on Covid-19 cases for the last 16 months as a result of which seasonal fevers like malaria and dengue have taken a backseat. As per the prevailing ratio in the district, Covid is found in eight persons per 1,000 tests.
Meanwhile, dengue and viral fever cases have been increasing in eight mandals. Around 56 dengue cases were reported in Kallur mandal followed by 32 in Khammam, 15 in Manchukonda primary health centre and 14 each in Tallada and Enkoor. Dengue cases have also been registered in around 20 PHCs, including at MV Palem, Karepalli, Chintakani and Banigandlapadu.
Incidentally, from June to August, dengue cases stood at 172 while for the corresponding months last year, it was a mere 23 cases.
Patients are approaching private hospitals for dengue treatment and the medical department is not collecting those details from private hospitals.
On the other hand, about 67,221 viral fevers have been reported in the district in the current season. To combat this, officials have started ‘dry-day’ programmes. Khammam reported 722 and 1,972 dengue cases in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
