With the onset of monsoon, Pathanamthitta district is facing the threat of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
Twenty-three confirmed cases of malaria have been reported from among migrant workers on Wednesday. The Health department has taken measures to treat the patients, isolating them from other workers, besides sanitising the locality, according to L. Anithakumari, Deputy District Medical Officer. Dr. Anithakumari told The Hindu that all the 23 malaria cases were reported from natives of West Bengal, Jharkhand, etc.
Vector-control drive
The Deputy DMO said 364 confirmed dengue fever cases had been reported from the district as on Wednesday. Mosquito density was found high in areas such as Elanthoor, Kadammanitta, Pallickal, Malayalappuzha, Chittar, Mallappally, Kanjeettukara, and in the town limits of Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla, Pandalam, Ranni, Konni, Kozhencherry, and Adoor, sources said.
Dr. Anithakumari said the Health department launched an intensive vector-control drive in the Elanthor block panchayat limits on Wednesday. Garbage dumps have become a major health hazard in most towns and village headquarters in the district.
The Health authorities said 34 confirmed leptospirosis cases had been reported from the district so far. Local self-government institutions have failed to make provision for the safe waste disposal though vector-borne diseases are reportedly spreading in many parts of the district.
Mosquito menace plagues the hilly reaches as well as plains. Waterlogged areas, stagnant pools and choked canals have become safe breeding grounds for flies.
