Chikungunya and Dengue spreading in Kerala

[Gert van der Hoek]

Chikungunya reported from parts of Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, May 24 (PTI): The public health system in Kerala has been put on high alert as chikungunya and viral fever cases have been reported from Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts in the state.

According to health department sources, a Central team is expected to visit Kerala soon to assess the situation and assist the state in containing the spread of the disease.

About 100 chikungunya cases were reported from Pathanamthitta district, for which the government had released Rs 10 lakh to take up emergency preventive measures, a spokesman for Health Minister P K Sreemathy told PTI.

What worries health authorities is that the outbreak of fever has come about on the eve of the onset of monsoon. The rainy season always posed health challenges to authorities in the state.

Last year there was an outbreak of chikungunya in Alappuzha and nearby districts, which claimed 100 lives and drew national attention.

Most viral fever cases have been reported from the eastern parts of Kottayam distirct, known as the 'rubber-belt.'

District medical authorities said blood samples taken from the patients had been sent to the Virology Instiute at Alappuza to ascertain the kind of virus causing the fever.

Since poor people depend mainly on government hospitals for treatment, lack of sufficient beds and supply of medicines also poses problems.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/404200705241522.htm

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya reported from parts of Kerala

Re: Chikungunya reported from parts of Kerala

One person dies of suspected chikungunya

Kottayam, May 26: One person died at the Medical College Hospital here today with symptoms of chikungunya while hundreds of persons are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the region.

The deceased was identified as N A Rasheed (48) from Kanjirappally.

Meanwhile, Kerala Congress leader K M Mani today criticised the State Government for not taking effective steps to contain the epidemic including chikungunya, jaundice and other viral fever in the region.

He alleged that inaction on the part of the Government was the main reason for the alarming situation.

http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=33297

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya: fatalities reported from Kerala

Re: Chikungunya: fatalities reported from Kerala

Chikungunya Scare In Orissa: 4 Die

Sunday 27th of May 2007

Panic gripped Kural village in Orissa's Nayagarh district after four persons died due from suspected chikungunya in the past four days, a health official told Sunday.

The dead have been identified as Sibaram Das, Mochi Patra, Aparti Sahu, and Ghanashyam Panda. They were among the 642 persons affected by the disease in the village, nearly 120 km from Bhubaneswar.

The village is the biggest in Nayagarh district and has a population of around 8,000. 'The disease spread to other villagers only due to negligence on the part of health officials who didn't bother when the first case was reported,' alleged Lokanath Sahu, chairman of Odagaon block.

'The cases are increasing day by day. All the affected persons are suffering from high fever and severe pain in limbs and joints,' Bijay Paikray, Sarpanch of Kural gram panchayat told IANS.

'We were under the impression that the disease will not lead to death. But we are shocked by the incident (death of the four persons). The problem of lack of proper food and care is being faced by the affected,' he added.

A team of specialists from Bhubaneswar visited the village Saturday.

'We have found the aedes mosquitoes in the locality. The mosquito is the carrier of chikungunya and dengue. So from the symptoms of the disease the possible outbreak of chikungunya can't be ruled out,' B Nageswar Rao, chief of the specialist team, told IANS.

'Orissa does not have adequate testing facilities. Serum has been collected from 51 patients and sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune for tests,' he added.

http://newspostindia.com/report-1284

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya: fatalities reported from Kerala

Re: Chikungunya: fatalities reported from Kerala

Chikungunya breakout feared in Nayagarh district

Sunday May 27 2007 00:28 IST


BHUBANESWAR: Suspecting outbreak of chikungunya in Nayagarh district, Orissa Government on Saturday rushed an expert team from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack to Kural village where it is reported to have surfaced.

In last one week, several cases of suspected Chikungunya have been reported. The Health Department has so far received report of 148 cases.

Serum has been collected from 51 and sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune for tests.

A team led by State Malaria Control Officer has also proceeded to the village to take stock of the situation.

Following reports of high fever accompanied by severe pain in the limbs by a number of villagers of Kural, doctors of the local primary heath centre were deputed to attend them.

As more and more cases poured in, the State Government decided to send an expert team from SCB Medical College. Another team from MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur also reached the spot and is extending medical help.

Meanwhile, Government of India has designated the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack as the sentinel surveillance centre for chikungunya and dengue.

All serological tests for these two diseases would be conducted there.

The Centre has agreed to send 500 test kits by the end of this month while Doctors and technical staff would soon be sent to Delhi for training.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20070526140645&Page=Q&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya: fatalities reported from Kerala

Re: Chikungunya: fatalities reported from Kerala

Kerala to appoint more doctors, for Chickungunya

Pathanamthitta, May 27: Kerala Transport Minister Mathew T Thomas today said that as part of chickungunya prevention drive, more doctors and health inspectors would be posted in this district on a temporary basis.

Talking to newspersons here, he said at the General Hospital here, an additional 13 doctors and 10 nurses would take charge soon.

A total of 100 doctors and 200 health inspectors would be recruited on a war-footing basis for Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts, he added.

An amount of Rs 20 lakh had been sanctioned by the government for Pathanamthitta, the worst affected district.

A team of doctors from medical colleges would tour the Chickungunya affected places. A round-the-clock control room had started operation at the general hospital here.

All panchayats were allotted Rs 2500 each for vector-control measures and Rs 5000 each would be spent on ward-level cleaning operation. The eastern hilly tract of the district where Chickungunya was rampant would receive special attention, he added.

http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=33402

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya: fatalities reported from Kerala

Re: Chikungunya: fatalities reported from Kerala

Kerala / Kochi


Chikungunya cases


Dr. Ramani said 40 cases of suspected chikungunya were reported in the city so far.

The authorities also released the list of other diseases reported in the city, which included 424 hepatitis A, 2 hepatitis B, 327 chicken pox, 32 Malaria, 136 typhoid and 2 dengue fever cases.

The authorities called for observing Sundays as dry days for checking the breeding of mosquitoes.

Water that gets stored in containers, plastic cans and tyres should be emptied, as these are potential breeding grounds of mosquitoes.

The KWA was directed to ensure the supply of super chlorinated drinking water and the hotels were asked to provide boiled water to customers.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/28/stories/2007052817850300.htm

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya: fatalities reported from Kerala

Re: Chikungunya: fatalities reported from Kerala

62 chikungunya cases in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, May 30 (PTI): A total of 62 chikungunya cases have been confirmed in Kerala as efforts to contain the disease by destroying mosquito breeding sources in the affected districts were on, Health Secretary Vishwas Mehta said today.

Addressing a press conference here along with B C Jain, Central team Technical Head and Additional Director of Non-Communicable Diseases, Mehta said the government was hopeful that with active community participation, it would be able to cut short the lifecycle of mosquitoes and check the spread of the disease in the next one week.

He said 49 chikungunya cases were reported in Pathanamthitta district.There were no cases of dengue fever in the state.A total of 142 health workers have been deputed to step up anti-prevention measures.

Jain said the central team had visited most of the affected districts and collected blood samples of the patients with fever. "Clinical examination has confirmed that there are cases of Chikungunya," Jain said adding it has to be collaborated with laboratory tests.

Jain also said there was no evidence to show that chikungunya could cause a person's death.The only effective method to check the spread of the disease was to destroy the mosquito breeding centres in and around houses. Jain sought the co-operation of people in this regard.

The team also visited some affected areas of Idukki, Kottayam, Palakkad, Thrissur, Alappuzha and Kollam.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200705301442.htm

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

25000 hospitalised in Kerala with chikungunya

By Roy Mathew

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: About 25000 people are in hospitals in Kerala with symptoms of chikungunya, the Health Minister, P. K. Sreemati said here on Thursday.

Thousands more with fever and other symptoms were undergoing out patient treatment in districts such as Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. The disease is spread by mosquitoes, which had multiplied in the southern districts during the past few weeks.

The Minister said that the Health Department in association with the Department of Local Self Government would undertake a weeklong drive starting on June 5 for vector control with public participation. The mosquito density in the districts is more when compared to an outbreak that occurred last year in Alappuzha.

Ms. Sreemati said that the Cabinet had sanctioned a week's free rations to poor families affected by the diseases in all districts. About Rs. 2 crores had been sanctioned for providing mosquito nets to the patients and acquiring fogging machines and sprayers.

Local bodies would be implementing special schemes improving sanitation and clearing of water logged canals and streams.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200705311341.htm

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

CHIKUNGUNYA - INDIAN OCEAN UPDATE (11): INDIA (KERALA)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Thu 31 May 2007 [edited]
Source: The Hindu News Update Service [edited]
<http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200705311341.htm>


About 25 000 people are in hospitals in Kerala with symptoms of
chikungunya, the Health Minister P. K. Sreemati said here on Thursday
[31 May 2007]. [According to another news article, 25,000 are
hospitalized with fever of which over 25% are suspected to be
infected with chikungunya.-Mod.DK] Thousands more with fever and
other symptoms were undergoing outpatient treatment in districts such
as Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kollam and
Thiruvananthapuram. The disease is spread by mosquitoes, which had
multiplied in the southern districts during the past few weeks.

The Minister said that the Health Department in association with the
Department of Local Self Government would undertake a week-long drive
starting on 5 Jun 2007 for vector control with public participation.
The mosquito density in the districts is greater than that observed
in an outbreak that occurred last year [2006] in Alappuzha.

Ms. Sreemati said that the cabinet had sanctioned a week's free
rations to poor families affected by the disease in all districts.
About Rs. 2 crores [INR 20 million or USD 496 000 - CopyEd.MSP] had
been sanctioned for providing mosquito nets for the patients and
acquiring fogging machines and sprayers.

Local bodies would be implementing special schemes for improving
sanitation and clearing waterlogged canals and streams.

[Byline: Roy Mathew]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Brent Barrett

[Since 24 May 2007, the number of patients hospitalized in Kelala
with acute chikungunya fever has risen from around 100 to many
thousands on 31 May 2007. Although the outbreak is extensive and the
effects of infection severe and incapacitating in many cases, there
have been no reports of fatalities. doe promed have a clue!?:tiphat:
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/prome..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,37646

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Chikungunya takes an epidemic shape in Kerala



Ernakulam (Kerala), June 2:

Thousands have been admitted to hospitals across Kerala with the symptoms of Chikungunya, a crippling fever caused by mosquito bite.

Chikungunya virus is spread through mosquito-bite and causes a non-fatal self-limiting illness, marked by high fever, headache, severe joint pain, rashes and nausea.

Long queues of patients suffering from intermittent fever were seen in state-run hospitals in Kerala's Ernakulam District.

The disease has occurred after the southwest monsoon hit Kerala coast last week.

The disease has spread near rubber plantations where farmers use plastic cups and coconut shells to collect rubber milk and leave it open, making it a breeding ground for the mosquitoes.

The district medical officer, who took stock of the situation, said in Ernakulam District 13 cases were confirmed as Chikungunya on Friday.

"The State has reported 57,649 cases of fever this year (January to May). As of today, there are over 900 cases of fever from Ernakulam District alone. We have received reports of 13 cases of Chikungunya," said Ernakulam District Medical Officer Dr. K T Ramani.

A team of experts from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Delhi visited the State to study the situation. They said the situation was under control and there was no need for panic.

Like dengue, another mosquito borne disease, there is no vaccine for Chikungunya, and at best, symptoms can be countered through painkillers, intake of fluids and lot of rest.

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/146183.php/Chikungunya-takes-an-epidemic-shape-in-Kerala

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Kerala to seek Centre's help to tackle viral fever

Thiruvananthapuram, June 6 (PTI): Taking a serious note of the outbreak of viral fever in Keala, the state government today decided to convene an all-party meet on June 8 to work out plans for tackling the problem besides seeking help from the Centre.

A 'cleanliness day' would be observed across the state on June 12 as part of the efforts to contain the spread of the fever and other contagious diseases, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told reporters here.

The state would also be bringing the matter to the attention of the Centre and seek assistance and expertise to deal with the situation.

While media reports said the outbreak of fever had so far claimed at least 11 lives, the state Health Department is yet to confirm casualties.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200706061311.htm

 

[Snowy Owl]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Kerala in chikungunya grip, seeks Centre's help

http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/jun/06/kerala_chikungunya_grip_seeks_centres_help.html​

Posted June 6th, 2007 by Tarique
http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/india_news

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram :

With nearly 30,000 people in south and central districts of Kerala hospitalised with chikungunya fever, an infection spread by the Aedes mosquito, the state has decided to seek help from the central government.

Reports from Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts indicate that around 40 people have died of high fever in the last three weeks.

"We have decided to call an all party meeting on Friday to discuss this issue and June 12 will be observed as cleanliness day across the state," Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told reporters after the weekly cabinet meet here Wednesday.

The reason for the spread of chikungunya has been cited to be poor waste management facilities at the famed temple in Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta, where the peak season ended in January.

Over 25 people have died due of high-fever in Pathanamthitta alone in the last three weeks.

The state government has asked private hospitals to open special wards for patients suffering from fever.

The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association has also decided to extend their normal working hours given the seriousness of the situation.

A central government team had visited the affected districts last week and Kerala hopes to get additional funds to control the spread of the fever.

Funds are also required to launch a massive 'Clean Kerala' campaign on a regular basis.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Chikungunya Grip, Thousands Affected

Friday 08th of June 2007

About 94,000 people in Kerala have been affected by fever in the last one week while about 7,000 patients have been identified with mosquito-borne chikungunya fever, according to the state health department.

'About 7,000 patients have now been identified of having mosquito-borne chikungunya fever and I will not say none has died,' Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi told reporters here Friday.

Six fever-related deaths were reported in Pathanamitta Friday.

Reports from Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts indicate that around 40 people have died due to high fever in the last three weeks.

Kerala's central districts like Kottayam and Pathanamthitta were among the worst affected, accounting for nearly half of the affected. However, northern districts like Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargode are said to be the least affected.

'The need of the hour is a joint campaign with the help of all social agencies and we have called a meeting of these organisations on June 11,' said Sreemathi.

The government is holding an all-party meeting Saturday where more concrete measures to tackle the disease are expected to be taken.

It has asked private hospitals to open special wards for patients suffering from fever and to submit a list of the number of patients arriving for treatment.

http://newspostindia.com/report-2774

 

[Snowy Owl]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Expert team from Defence coming on Sunday
Sunday June 10 2007 13:06 IST
<SMALL>T'PURAM: Perhaps for the first time in the history of the state, an expert team from the Defence comprising doctors and paramedical staff will reach Kerala on Sunday to help the State Government in the fever containment measures.

The expert team from Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram will be visiting the fever-affected areas of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Thiruvananthapuram.

Following the request from Health Minister P K Sreemathi, Union Defence Minister A K Antony has urged Army, Navy and Military forces to give full support to the State Government in the fever containment measures. An expert team from the Pune Armed Forces Hospital will also be reaching the state on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss will be sending the Director General of Health from the Union Health Ministry to the state on Sunday to assess the situation.

Two Naval teams from Kochi will be reaching the fever-affected areas of Idukki and Kottayam on Sunday and an expert team from the Thiruvananthapuram Military Pangode camp will be visiting the fever-hit areas of the Thiruvananthapuram district.

Meanwhile, the State Government has convened an all-party meet to discuss the issues relating to the spreading of viral fever in the state. Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Chief Minister said that so far 36 deaths had been confirmed following fever in Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts.

The all-party meet has also decided to have a mass cleaning campaign for a week from June 12 in the fever-hit areas, which will be attended by the activists from all political parties, government officials, police, students, Kudumbasree workers and other NGOs.

The Chief Minister said that already orders had been issued to supply free ration for all people in the feveraffected areas. Medical camps have been organised in these regions and the services of Homoeo, Ayurveda and Allopathy doctors are being offered in these camps.

He said that there was also a demand to completely ban the use and manufacturing of plastics in the state, which would be considered by the State Government.</SMALL>
<SMALL></SMALL>
<SMALL>http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItem...24508&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0</SMALL>

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

No case of chikungunya in TN so far: Chief Secy</ARTTITLE>
10 Jun, 2007 l 1634 hrs

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 5px" colSpan=2><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="80%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2112509,prtpage-1.cms
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--google_ad_region_start=article-->
CHENNAI: Appealing to people not to panic over reports of chikungunya in neighbouring Kerala, Tamil Nadu Government on Sunday said that no case of the fever has been reported in the state so far.

A high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary L K Tripathy, reviewed the health situation in the state.

Tripathy directed Health and Municipal administration authorities to intensify monitoring the situation and to appoint a worker in each village to destroy mosquitoes and larvae which spread the virus.

As a preventive measure, medical teams at check posts in state's border areas would screen for chikungunya cases. Fogging operations would also be conducted in full swing, an official release said here.

Medical teams would also be posted at bus stands, railway stations and airports and strict vigil would be maintained, it added.

Necessary medicines have been stocked in all hospitals and a separate wing with adequate number of beds have been set up at Medical College hospitals to treat chikungunya patients.

People have been advised to keep their surroundings clean in order to prevent breeding of mosquitoes and asked to immediately approach a nearby hospital in case of fever, the release added. :tiphat: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/..._TN_so_far_Chief_Secy/articleshow/2112509.cms

<!--google_ad_region_end=article-->

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Chickungunya: Army, Navy docs in Kerala

11 Jun, 2007

THIRUVANTHAPURAM: Medical teams from the Army and Navy on Sunday reached three districts of Kerala reeling under chickungunya outbreak, as the death toll reached 60.

A team of doctors and paramedics from the Kochi naval station reached Kottayam to treat the infected people and carry out operations against the "aedes aegypti" mosquitoes that are known to spread the disease. Army doctors have also been rushed in. Another team of experts from Pune will reach the state on Monday.

Most of the deaths were reported from Kottayam and Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts. Several villages in Pathanamthitta are said to be under the grip of the disease.

The affected districts have abundant rubber plantations which have provided the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes in the water left over by the rains in plastic cups kept to collect the rubber sap.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...y_Navy_docs_in_Kerala/articleshow/2112961.cms

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Millions affected viral fever in Kerala; Several dead

Kottayam (Kerala in India), SVM News, June 10, 2007:

According the official reports, about 800,000 people in Kerala have been affected by viral fever and undergoing treatment in different government and private hospitals in the last three week till yesterday.

The unofficial report says more than three million people affected by viral fever.

Thousands upon thousands have been identified with mosquito-borne chikungunya fever. Denki fever, rat fever and Malaria also found.

Reports from Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam districts indicate that around 100 people have died due to high fever in the last three weeks.

Government was fighting hard to contain the spread of the epidemic in the State, V S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister of Kerala said.

With the viral fever spreading throughout the State and increase in number of cases each day, a cleanliness drive would be organised in the State for a week from June 12 to contain the spread of the epidemic. The Defence, police and various NGOs would be part of the drive, Mr Achuthanandan said.

Kerala's central districts like Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki were among the worst affected, accounting for nearly two third of the affected.

Following the request from the Health Minister P K Sreemathi, Union Defence Minister A K Antony has urged the Army, Navy and Military forces to give full support to the state government in the fever containment measures.

The Southern Naval Command deputes medical teams to assist the authorities including doctors and para-medical staff, fully equipped with required medicines and medical equipment to treat the patients.

And also an expert team from the Defence comprising doctors and paramedical staff from Pune Armed Forces Hospital reached to help the state government in containing the spreading of viral fever and chikungunya.

The expert teams from Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram visiting the fever-affected areas of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramdoss will send the Director General of Health to the state to assess the situation.

It has asked private hospitals to open special wards for patients suffering from fever and to submit a list of the number of patients arriving for treatment.

Free ration would be supplied for a month in the affected regions adding that the Government was also considering payment of relief for the relatives of the dead, Chief Minister said.

All political parties in the State promised their active involvement in the cleanliness drive when Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan called the leaders for an all-party meeting here on Saturday to discuss the measures required to handle the crisis.

The affected people came mostly from the weaker sections of society.

Viral fever severely affected several mission stations of Salem Voice Ministries and hundreds of it's members admitted in different hospitals. "We pray and give top priority for the cleanliness drive to prevent the spread of the disease to new areas," Rev. Paul Ciniraj, the Director of the Salem Voice Ministries and the national president of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) said.

"Please pray for our people. They face Christian persecution in one side, and another side poverty and congagious diseases," Paul Ciniraj said.

http://salemvoice.org/news173.html

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Chikungunya cases show downward trend in State

Staff Reporter

Defence services teams swing into action in districts

Thiruvananthapuram: Fever surveillance reports from across the State suggest that chikungunya cases were coming down in areas from where the outbreaks had been previously reported, said senior Health Department officials on Sunday. However, as intermittent monsoon showers continue, there could be outbreaks in new areas now, it is feared.

According to senior Health Department officials, chikungunya caseload is coming down in Pathanamthitta and has more or less stabilised in Kottayam district. Going by the new cases of suspected chikungunya being reported from various districts, health officials feel that attention should now be focussed on Idukki. After Pathanamthitta, this district is now reporting the maximum number of new suspected cases of chikungunya.

Idukki vulnerable


Idukki could be especially vulnerable because of the abundance of natural mosquito breeding sources such as plantations, which make vector-control activities quite difficult. In Pathanamthitta too, Health Department officials had faced stiff resistance from pineapple plantation owners against spraying among the plants.

In Ernakulam district, suspected chikungunya cases were first reported from the Kothamangalam area. New cases were reported from the Muvattupuzha area on Sunday.

As on Sunday, a total of 7,128 suspected cases of chikungunya have been reported from the State, out of which 4,238 cases are from Kottayam and 1,761 cases from Pathanamthitta.

Meanwhile, medical teams despatched by the defence services have started control and preventive action in fever-affected districts. Two teams from the Southern Naval Command have reached Idukki and Kottayam, and a team from the Pangode military camp has started work in Thiruvananthapuram. Another army team will be in action in Pathanamthitta from Monday.

Apart from conducting medical camps, the defence services will be conducting vector studies besides continuous intensive fogging and spraying.

While over 60 deaths ? 28 from Pathanamthitta ? have been reported from the State so far during the chikungunya outbreak, the officials point out that very few cases had a history of viral fever. Autopsies have not been done in any of the cases. All deaths during the outbreak are being audited and chikungunya has not been confirmed in any of the 28 deaths in Pathanamthitta.

Meanwhile, a team of officials led by Director-General of Health Services S.P. Agarwal arrived in the capital late Sunday night. The team will be holding detailed discussions with Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/11/stories/2007061107960100.htm

 

[Thornton]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re; Post 15.
How would border screening stop a mosquito borne illness?
JT

 

[Snowy Owl]

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Re: Chikungunya spreading in Kerala

Millions affected viral fever in Kerala; Several dead
http://salemvoice.org/news173.html
​

Kottayam (Kerala in India), SVM News, June 10, 2007:

According the official reports, about 800,000 people in Kerala have been affected by viral fever and undergoing treatment in different government and private hospitals in the last three week till yesterday.

The unofficial report says more than three million people affected by viral fever.

Thousands upon thousands have been identified with mosquito-borne chikungunya fever. Denki fever, rat fever and Malaria also found.

Reports from Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam districts indicate that around 100 people have died due to high fever in the last three weeks.

Government was fighting hard to contain the spread of the epidemic in the State, V S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister of Kerala said.

With the viral fever spreading throughout the State and increase in number of cases each day, a cleanliness drive would be organised in the State for a week from June 12 to contain the spread of the epidemic. The Defence, police and various NGOs would be part of the drive, Mr Achuthanandan said.

Kerala's central districts like Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki were among the worst affected, accounting for nearly two third of the affected.

Following the request from the Health Minister P K Sreemathi, Union Defence Minister A K Antony has urged the Army, Navy and Military forces to give full support to the state government in the fever containment measures.

The Southern Naval Command deputes medical teams to assist the authorities including doctors and para-medical staff, fully equipped with required medicines and medical equipment to treat the patients. And also an expert team from the Defence comprising doctors and paramedical staff from Pune Armed Forces Hospital reached to help the state government in containing the spreading of viral fever and chikungunya.

The expert teams from Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram visiting the fever-affected areas of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramdoss will send the Director General of Health to the state to assess the situation.

It has asked private hospitals to open special wards for patients suffering from fever and to submit a list of the number of patients arriving for treatment.

Free ration would be supplied for a month in the affected regions adding that the Government was also considering payment of relief for the relatives of the dead, Chief Minister said.

All political parties in the State promised their active involvement in the cleanliness drive when Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan called the leaders for an all-party meeting here on Saturday to discuss the measures required to handle the crisis.

The affected people came mostly from the weaker sections of society.

Viral fever severely affected several mission stations of Salem Voice Ministries and hundreds of it's members admitted in different hospitals. "We pray and give top priority for the cleanliness drive to prevent the spread of the disease to new areas," Rev. Paul Ciniraj, the Director of the Salem Voice Ministries and the national president of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) said.

"Please pray for our people. They face Christian persecution in one side, and another side poverty and congagious diseases," Paul Ciniraj said.