AP Steps Up Disease Surveillance as Rain Raises Infection Risk
Officials would also use surveillance systems to identify emerging hotspots and act on stagnant water, silted drains, garbage heaps and other mosquito-breeding sites.
Vijayawada:The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up surveillance and preventive measures against communicable diseases in the wake of heavy rainfall, with Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav directing the officials to intensify field-level action against malaria, dengue, scrub typhus and water and food-borne diseases.
The minister called for early identification of areas witnessing a rise in cases and immediate preventive measures. He also directed officials to strengthen the disease reporting system so that automatic alerts reached officials at all levels whenever cases crossed a predetermined threshold.
As of August 30, the state had reported 7,895 malaria cases, against 6,172 during the corresponding period last year, marking a 27.9 per cent increase. Cases have risen particularly in the Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram and Vizianagaram areas.
Officials have been asked to intensify indoor residual spraying, distribute mosquito nets and undertake larval control, especially in malaria-prone tribal areas. The second round of indoor spraying would be completed in the Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram, Parvathipuram Manyam and Eluru districts. Additional rounds would be taken up in vulnerable areas if required. Distribution of 5,99,367 mosquito nets to eligible beneficiaries has also begun.
Dengue cases too have increased marginally, from 1,410 last year to 1,475 this year, a rise of 4.6 per cent. YSR Kadapa recorded an increase from 48 to 128 cases and Chittoor from 73 to 112. Kurnool, however, saw cases decline from 182 to 106 and Anakapalli from 99 to 64.
Yadav directed the officials to immediately undertake spraying, fogging and larval control around dengue cases.
The state has recorded 941 scrub typhus cases this year. Alluri Sitarama Raju saw cases rise from 13 to 44 and Parvathipuram Manyam from 15 to 47. Health staff has been told to promptly test fever cases, particularly near forest areas, and ensure early treatment and availability of medicines.
Food- and water-borne diseases are also a concern. In Srikakulam, such cases jumped from 34 last year to 408 this year, prompting officials to inspect drinking water sources, undertake purification and strengthen sanitation and food-quality checks. The state recorded 930 such cases this year.
Kurnool officials would inspect drinking water sources following a rise in typhoid cases and undertake purification and sanitation measures wherever necessary.
The minister directed the officials to conduct a ‘Dry Day’ every Friday, involving ASHA workers, health staff, village and ward secretariat personnel and the public. Water stored in containers, discarded articles and other mosquito-breeding spots would be cleared. The programme would be monitored through an app, with larval control measures, including the use of larvivorous fish where feasible.
Officials would also use surveillance systems to identify emerging hotspots and act on stagnant water, silted drains, garbage heaps and other mosquito-breeding sites. The departments of health, rural development and urban development have been asked to coordinate preventive and sanitation measures.
