Ekm reins in communicable diseases

KOCHI: If you still hold a grudge that the district is mosquitoes’ own backyard, here’s something to change your perspective. Ernakulam is a better bet than Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode if one examines the communicable diseases figures over the past four years. The statistics prepared by state surveillance unit of the integrated disease surveillance project (IDSP) showed that communicable disease in these districts increased significantly, with cases doubling in Kozhikode from 2011-14.While Thiruvananthapuram saw an increase of 45.8% in 2014 compared to 2011 figures, it was 103.91% for Kozhikode. However, Ernakulam has seen an increase of only 26.4%. There were no deaths due to communicable disease in Ernakulam in 2014 after district medical authorities chalked out an action plan. Kozhikode saw an increase from 1,23,162 cases in 2011 to 2,51,147 in 2014. For Thiruvananthapuram, it was 2,15,512 (2011) and 3,14,396 (2014) and in case of Ernakulam, the figures were 1,78,736 (2011) and 2,25,988 (2014).The maximum number of cases was reported under the category of fever. The list of communicable diseases includes dengue, malaria, chikungunya, leptospirosis, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), hepatitis A and B, cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea, fever and H1N1.Secretary for health and family welfare Dr K Ellangovan said: “We have noted an increase in hepatitis A and malaria cases in Kozhikode over the past few years, but the situation is under control. The main reason for these cases is the use of commercial ice in welcome drinks and the presence of indigenous malaria. We intend to create awareness about communicable diseases among people with the help of the panchayat.” He added that compared to 2013, 2014 was a better year for the state and the goal is to end deaths due to communicable disease in the coming years.Former district medical officer (DMO) Dr Haseena Muhammed said Ernakulam benefitted from the projects that were implemented on time to stop the spread of communicable diseases. “We undertook special programmes like chlorinating water resources every month, source reduction activities to keep a check on dengue and malaria, ensuring that only hot water is served in hotels to prevent water-borne diseases and the Safe Kerala initiative,” she said, adding that following an outbreak of hepatitis B in Ramamangalam, the department carried out a disinfection and sterilization programme in barber shops.Migrant labourers – who are carriers of diseases like malaria –attended orientation classes and they were made aware of the importance of taking proper precautions and treatment, said junior health inspector M M Sakkeer. “In areas like Perumbavoor, Vengola and Puthuvype, the results are surprising and the disease among the migrant populace is less. Ward-based activities focussing on schools and other awareness programmes have been successful,” he said. Thiruvananthapuram DMO Jose G D’cruz said measures taken to control mosquito breeding in all corporations did not yield the desired result. “These programmes are not always scientific, especially in urban slums and construction sites. When it comes to controlling communicable diseases, it is not just about solid waste elimination. There should be a separate department for public health service, like in Tamil Nadu, to take care of this,” he said.