Warning issued now by health experts regarding the increase of vector borne diseases in Chennai & TN!!
Monsoon and vector borne diseases are interconnected!!
Hygiene and sanitation assumes huge importance now. Water logging coupled with un-cleared garbage etc could lead to many diseases during monsoon season. The bitter fact is that already dengue, malaria, leptospirosis etc are on the rise in Chennai now.
It is quite common to witness an increase in the monsoon diseases and the doctors have stressed about the need for hygiene and sanitation among the residents. Until the month of September, Tamil Nadu has recorded 240 cases of malaria. Though the number of malaria cases now is less when compared to 2022 and 2023, it is highly essential that the public stays vigilant.
Localities in Chennai with highest population density would have a large number of vector borne diseases. It has been brought to light by the entomologist Mr. Senthilnathan that densely populated areas would act as breeding grounds for the mosquitoes.
The highest number of dengue cases reported is from Chennai and next is from Coimbatore. Other places like Krishnagiri, Madurai, Tiruvallur, Trichy, Tirunelveli, Thanjavur and Theni have also got dengue cases.
Mr. Senthilnathan later explained how water stored by the residents could act as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. He added that mosquitoes breeding would take place if waste disposal and management in urban areas was not proper.
Now after the rains, dengue could spike in Chennai and across TN. Since January, about 18000 dengue cases have been reported across TN. The dengue cases have been closely monitored by the government hospitals now. To manage the patient inflow, special wards have been kept ready at these hospitals. Not only dengue cases, but also fever and influenza cases have been on the rise and 8 to 10 cases are getting reported per day now. This was according to a resident medical officer belonging to Stanley Medical College and Hospital in north Chennai.
As per Dr. Rema Chandramohan, director of ICH in Chennai, parents are urged to be more cautious as the kids are more prone to get infections in the monsoons. It is learnt that the doctors have also warned bacterial infections that could take place by intake of contaminated foods or water etc. Typhoid is due to food contamination and leptospirosis can be due to water contamination etc. it is now said that the kids must avoid playing in the rain or flood water to avoid risk of getting infections etc. To identify cases of dengue, leptospirosis, fever etc, the state health dept is conducting monsoon camps.
