'Sick' of monsoon?

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[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]'Sick' of monsoon?[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pune_Times/Sick_of_monsoon_/articleshow/2225140.cms[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]23 Jul 2007, 0000 hrs IST

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NOZIA SAYYED Times News Network

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TNN
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Monsoon has come as a relief, offering respite from the sweltering heat.
But, it has brought in its wake diseases too.[/FONT]

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Om Shinde, a software professional, who is prone to viral infections during this season, has already had a viral attack twice since the monsoon started. Says he, "I'm tired of these infections. Flu, cough and cold have confined me to the house since the rains began."

Faiyaz Shaikh, a college student, says, "All of us in our group have had viral infection and have missed our important lectures. These infections are killing us."
According to Dr Atul Rakshe, a renowned physician, the most common diseases of the season are malaria, jaundice, and gastro-intestinal infections like typhoid and cholera. "Apart from these, viral infections like cold, cough, and fever are also common. Many patients come to us with viral infections," he says.

The attendance in schools has been thinning due to monsoon-related diseases. "Invariably, four to five students are absent since the monsoon started," says Yukta Kulkarni, a school teacher. One of the causes for the rise in diseases is polluted water, which is very common during the season, and can lead to diarrhoea and gastro.

Clarifies Pramod Nirbhavne, development engineer, PMC, "We are aware that some areas have been getting muddy water, but we have taken instant precautions." Every ward office in the city has been provided with alum to distribute among the residents in their jurisdiction, and they have also been instructed to keep a check on the water supply. Water is also being chlorinated to ensure purity. "In a week's time, the water supply to all centres will be purified," promises Nirbhavne.

There are six water supply centres in PMC - Lashkar, Parvati, Holkar, Warje, Wagholi and Wadgav. Areas like Katraj, Dhankawdi, Sinhagad etc are supplied water from Wadgav Water Supply Centre, which is still under construction. That explains why certain areas are experiencing polluted water. "We are spreading awareness among people on how to purify water for drinking and cooking purposes," informs Nirbhavne.

But Nikhil Chatterjee, general manager, Pest Control India (PCI), advises people to be extra careful about their health during the monsoon. "This season gives you major illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, cholera or hepatitis. All these fever-related diseases spread due to mosquitoes, flies and also rats. These can be kept at bay by taking precautions (see the box above)."

Some measures to avoid contracting diseases during the monsoon
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• Do not allow breeding of pests in and around your society

• Keep doors and windows shut during evening hours.

• Stagnant water causes breeding of mosquitoes and flies, so keep changing the water in potted plants.

• Full clothing, lotions and using mosquito nets can help keep pests away

• Maintain hygiene and cleanliness.

• Ensure regular cleaning and scrubbing of water tanks.

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