Communicable diseases on the rise in Kottayam

The district has come under the grip of various contagious diseases in most parts with it witnessing intermittent summer rains coupled with the searing heat in recent weeks.

According to official figures, twenty cases of fever were reported from various parts of the district on Sunday alone, taking the number of cases within a month to 2612. Seven cases of Acute Diarrhoeal Disease (ADD) were also reported on the day.

Several cases of chicken pox have also been reported from most parts of the district including Kottayam Municipality, Athirampuzha, Mundakayam, Teekoy, Pala, Kangazha, Thalayolaparambu, Marangattupally, Melukavu, Karukachal, Kuravilangad, Ayarkunnam, Panachikkad, Puthuppally, Arpookkara and Kanjirappally. Seventy six cases, including a death , have been reported within a month. Over 650 persons have sought medical treatment for the disease in the district since February.

Cases of dengue fever have been reported in the district in recent times. Official sources said that nine cases were reported in the previous month, mostly from the Changanassery municipality. According to District Medical Officer N.M. Aysha Bhai, such cases were usually reported in areas that suffered from acute water shortage. Migrant labourers, staying in pitiable conditions, have also been affected by the disease.