The possibility of a rise in waterborne and airborne diseases as well as viral infections is looming large in Kozhikode, with the spike in temperature across the district.
Close to 300 cases of chicken pox were reported this month. The number of those admitted to hospitals with acute diarrhoea is over 3,000. Fever cases too are on the rise compared to previous months, with the number reaching over 14,000.
Health Department sources said there was a chance of bacterial contamination of food as the temperature had been rising 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal in the past few weeks.
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Any failure to ensure hygiene could lead to water contamination too in the wake of shortage of drinking water, they added. As many as 9,004 cases of diarrhoea were reported in January and February, and there was one death. The number of fever cases in these months put together were 43,300.
District Medical Officer V. Jayasree in a release warned against consumption of ‘kulukki sarbath’, carbonated water, and other beverages from road-side stalls in view of 22 confirmed cases of jaundice and 266 suspected cases being reported this month alone. Any food stuff being sold in open carts should be avoided. Drinking of water has been advised to avoid dehydration.
As many as 40 people have sought treatment for sunburn in the district so far, Dr. Jayasree said, adding that seven of those cases were reported on Wednesday. Two people, including a 17-year-old student, had blisters on their body. The others had tanned skin.
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Avoid sun
Fish vendors, farmers, sanitation workers, students, homemakers, autorickshaw drivers, senior citizens, police personnel, and health workers form a majority of those who have suffered sunburn. Children, students, homemakers, roadside vendors, and senior citizens should avoid venturing into the out during daytime.