This story is from July 28, 2018

Health dept takes preventive measures following a kala-azar case

Health dept takes preventive measures following a kala-azar case
KOZHIKODE: Changaroth grama panchayat with the help of district health department will conduct awareness programme on Leishmaniasis to Accredited Social Health Activists (AHSA) and Kudumbashree members at the Changarothu grama panchayat community hall on July 30. The meeting is being held in the wake of a Leishmaniasis (kala-azar) case from the limits of Soopikkada of the Changaroth grama panchayat.
The services of ASHA and Kudumashree workers will be used to resolve public fear about kala-azar as the area has just overcome the fear of Nipah virus infection that killed 17 persons in the district.
The kala-azar was confirmed in a forty-two-year-old man who had underwent liver transplantation few years ago. The disease was confirmed at a private hospital in Kochi while carrying out biopsy of the person during the hospital visit. The district had reported the kala-azar in 2008.
Entomologists of North Zone Entomology Unit have already collected samples of sand flies from the house of the person detected with leishmaniosis. Kala-azar is spread by the bite of infected sand-flies. The diseases caused by parasites of leishmanial type. The health officials have also visited 67 houses in the nearby areas to check if anyone showing symptoms of black fever (kala-azar)
Dr CP Bijesh Bhaskaran, medical officer of Changaroth Primary Health Centre said that it is difficult to ascertain from where the person got the disease as the incubation period of it ranges from six months to two years.
District Medical Officer Dr V Jayashree said that the disease was confirmed at a private hospital in cochin. "We have taken all the remedial measures to prevent it. The entomologists have already collected the sand-flies from the areas to carry out further entomology tests. The situation is under control and no other case has been reported in the district. We have already carried out all the preventive measures including indoor residual spraying to eliminate sand flies causing kala azar," said DMO adding that the health department has already put up an effective monitoring in the areas.
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About the Author
Sreedevi Chitharanjan

Sreedevi is senior correspondent with the Times of India in Kozhikode. She is handling the civic issue beat for the past four years. She was with The New Indian Express earlier.

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