Rumours of viral fevers give sleepless nights to medical staff

Chittoor district reported nearly 50 deaths in a span of two months

An emergency medical team getting ready to conduct a medical camp at Petanathham village in Chittoor district .

The very mention of dengue or viral fevers sends shivers down the spine of the medical and health officials of this tail-end district, more particularly after the recent visit of the World Health Organisation team to Varadaiahpalem mandal, which witnessed nearly 50 deaths in two months, while reasons for half the number were attributed to dengue or viral fevers.

The WHO team visit preceded an atmosphere of tension among the households of the mandal, shuddering at “yellow fever”, the presence of which was later rejected officially.

After the WHO team had left with their reports, the medical and health staff rush to the villages, whenever an unconfirmed report of dengue or viral fever gets flashed in the media. It’s not an exaggeration that a 30-member team including the DMHO and the DCHS, had to camp for a week in villages vulnerable to febrile illnesses in recent weeks.

On Thursday, a medical team rushed to Petanathham village of G.D. Nellore mandal, near Chittoor, following a rumour that a 75-year-old farmer died of viral fever on Wednesday last.

The team, led by District Surveillance Officer Annareddy Sudarsan and District Epidemiologist V. Nagaraju along with senior medical officers, conducted a medical camp at the village, besides undertaking a door-to-door survey for possible cases of febrile illness.

The family members of the deceased observed referring to medical reports that he had died of cardiac-pulmonary failure.

On Tuesday last, a medical team rushed to a village in Nindra mandal, following a rumour that a 30-year-old youth died of dengue. Much to their surprise, the team found that the youth had committed suicide after an alleged prolonged history of mental illness.

Mr. Nagaraju said: “Rumour or no rumour, it’s our duty to rush there.” He said a number of teams went on a wild goose chase, but the chase was worthwhile in public interest.

Mr. Sudarsan said rumour mongering over public health issues was risky. He urged the people to directly contact the medical and paramedical staff of government hospitals of their respective areas in case they suffered symptoms of fevers and not give in to panic and reach out to private clinics.