Viral, Typhoid Cases Surge Across AP
Government health facilities are also reporting a significant increase in out-patient numbers. While primary health centres normally receive around 40 to 50 patients a day, the number has increased to 60 to 70 in several places.
KURNOOL: Viral and typhoid fever cases have increased sharply across Andhra Pradesh over the past 15 days, with doctors attributing the rise to changing weather conditions, rains and possible contamination of drinking water.
Government health facilities are also reporting a significant increase in out-patient numbers. While primary health centres normally receive around 40 to 50 patients a day, the number has increased to 60 to 70 in several places.
Rayalaseema districts, along with Krishna, Guntur and the East and West Godavari districts, have reported a rise in viral and typhoid cases. Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme data indicate that Kurnool and YSR Kadapa districts are among those reporting a high number of typhoid cases.
At some hospitals, fever patients are crowding the out-patient departments, while teaching hospitals are struggling to accommodate the increased patient load.
"Earlier, we used to receive around 40 patients a day, but now the number has crossed 60. At least two among every 10 patients are being diagnosed with typhoid," said Dr M Munishekhar of the Kamalapuram urban primary health centre in YSR Kadapa district.
He advised people to drink boiled and cooled water during the season and maintain precautions against water-borne infections.
Meanwhile, some patients alleged that private hospitals were charging them heavily after claiming that their platelet counts had fallen. They were being advised to undergo platelet transfusions, with charges ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per patient.
Fever patients are also reportedly turning to RMP practitioners in rural areas, while government teaching hospitals in several places are facing pressure on beds because of the increased inflow of patients.
"We have kept emergency medicines available across the state in view of seasonal diseases," said APMSIDC general manager Sadhu Srinivas.
"Paracetamol and different antibiotics are being made available. There is no shortage of medicines anywhere," he said.
Patients complained of long waiting times at government hospitals. More than 2,500 out-patients were treated at hospitals in Kurnool on Monday.
"I came from Kosigi with a fever and had to wait for more than three hours to see the doctor. When I went to collect medicines, I could not get them after waiting for two hours because of the huge crowd," said S Ramanamma.
Health officials have advised the people to take precautions against contaminated water and seek medical attention if fever persists or the symptoms worsen.
Daily outpatient and fever cases reported at hospitals
