Confirmed dengue cases shot up to 19 in a week

Kochi: With the onset of monsoon, there has been a sudden spurt in the number of fever cases, including dengue, in the district.
According to district health department, as many as 5,181 fever cases have been reported in the district till the first week of June 2018.
However, the alarming rise in the number of dengue cases in June first week is keeping the health department on their toes.
As many as 61 suspected cases and 19 confirmed cases have been reported this month alone.
“From January to June 2018, 483 suspected dengue cases have been reported and 51 cases have been confirmed in Ernakulam. In January, though there were 33 suspected cases none of them were confirmed as dengue. However, in February, three dengue cases were confirmed, while in March and April only one or two cases each were reported. In May, it shot to 26. But in June, there has been a sudden increase in the number of dengue cases as it shot to 19 within a week,” said an official with the district health department.
District surveillance officer Dr Sridevi said that majority of the dengue cases were being reported from Koovapady, Karukutty, Parakkadavu, Varapuzha, Perumbavoor, Kunnathunadu, Angamaly, Ayyampuzha, Kalady, Thuravur and Chengamanadu.
District medical officer N K Kuttappan has asked the public to remain vigilant and take preventive steps since there is high chance of dengue outbreak especially during the monsoon.
“Waterlogging after rains serves as an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Since rubber, pineapple and cocoa plantations are fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes, people living close to these areas should take steps to prevent water getting accumulated in the plantation areas,” said Kuttappan.
Apart from dengue, there has also been an increase in the number of leptospirosis and hepatitis A and B cases in June.
Out of the nine suspected leptospirosis cases, five have been confirmed. In the case of Malaria (PF), five cases have been reported over the past six months.
Dr Sreedevi added that from January to June 2018, there were 55 suspected cases of leptospirosis and 11 confirmed cases were reported in Ernakulam.
“It is likely to go up during the monsoon as rainwater causes the spread of bacteria found in rats,” said an official with the health department.
In the case of hepatitis A, there have been 27 confirmed cases and 25 confirmed cases of hepatitis B from January to June.