Dengue, viral fevers hit other ULBs too

Civic officials making all efforts to curb mosquito menace

Patients waiting at Fever Hospital.

Surge in dengue and other fevers is being witnessed in several other Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across Telangana apart from the twin cities, even as the municipal authorities concerned are taking remedial measures on a war-footing.

Although not a single death has been reported officially in any of the 144 municipalities, there has been a sharp rise in dengue cases of up to 289 till date. Over 4,687 cases of other vector-borne diseases such as typhoid, malaria, chikungunya and filaria have been reported.

Siddipet recorded the highest number of 53 dengue cases, followed by Kompally at 31, Thukuguda at 18, and Husnabad and Sangareddy at 14 each. Regarding viral fevers, Wanaparthy reported a massive 1,839 cases followed by Bhongir with 714 cases and Ramagundam that reported 424 cases with only one dengue case.

Kothagudem has reported 231 viral fever cases and three dengue cases, whereas Jawaharnagar recorded 198 cases and Luxettipet 163 cases. Kompally has reported 66 viral fever cases. Thukkuguda has reported 18 dengue and 81 other fever cases while Neredcherla has listed 10 dengue and 42 other fever cases.

More than 125 wards have been affected by seasonal fevers. There are about 227 fogging machines and 481 spray machines available with the municipalities. But, most ULBs have just one to six fogging machines and between 1-50 spraying machines with relatively larger municipal bodies of Nizamabad and Karimnagar being slightly better equipped to deal with the mosquito menace.

Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) T.K. Sreedevi, who is monitoring the situation, said that disease-prone areas have been identified and extensive fogging on alternate days, spraying over water-logged areas, anti-larval operations and use of bleaching powder, were being done to curb the menace.

Each ULB has been instructed to pass on information about the cases being reported and measures being undertaken on a regular basis.

“When a dengue or malaria case is reported, action is taken in 100 houses in and around the area, with street-fogging for up to 2 km and spraying pyrethrum inside 50 houses. People are also sensitised about protective measures to be taken,” a senior officer said.

The DMA informed that municipal commissioners have been instructed to take up removal of debris from open plots and regular cleaning of drains.