Health Minister Urges Vigilance as Intermittent Rain Raises Dengue Concerns

Health Minister Veena George has issued a call for vigilance in response to the intermittent rain affecting the district, emphasizing the need to be alert to diseases such as dengue and rat fever. Speaking at a meeting held to address the spread of these diseases, the Health Minister urged comprehensive measures to combat dengue-carrying mosquitoes in both residential and public areas. The health department and the Local Self Government Department (LSGD) have jointly committed to addressing this challenge.

Over the past three weeks, the state has reported over 5,000 cases of dengue, along with 23 deaths (comprising both suspected and confirmed cases). As part of the preventive measures, ‘Dry days’ will be observed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays over the next eight weeks, with schools observing them on Fridays, offices on Saturdays, and households on Sundays. Private hospitals have been instructed by the health department to report viral fever cases and provide treatment following established protocols to prevent fatalities from the disease. District medical officers have also been directed to undergo additional training in both government and private sectors to support this initiative.

Furthermore, the activities of District Vector Control Units were individually assessed, and the minister called upon district medical officers to efficiently implement mosquito control efforts through these units.