Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, May 2: A steep increase in the number of dengue and malaria cases from slums within Mulky town panchayat, like Lingappayyakadu and K S Rao Nagara since a month, has sounded warning bells.
As many as 33 patients from these areas got treated at Mulky community health centre during the last one month, while several more were treated at Concetta Hospital Kinnigoly, Srinivasa Hospital Mukka, Padmavati Hospital Suratkal and Wenlock Hospital Mangalore. The community health centre has identified eight among them as dengue cases. Around 28 more patients were treated at Concetta Hospital Kinnigoli during April from these areas, and out of them seven were admitted as inpatients.
To add to the problems, 27 persons, most of them of north Indian origin, who are working for an under-construction residential complex, have suffered from malaria. Workers in an under-construction complex at Haleangady too are afflicted with malaria.
The situation has taken turn for the worse this year, in spite of the town panchayat’s claim of having taken extensive precautionary measures like clearance of tender coconut shells, repeated fogging, clearance of drains, distribution of pamphlets etc.
Only one dengue case was reported from Mulky community health centre in 2009, while the figure rose to 3 in 2011, before coming down again to one last year. It may be recalled that several locals had demanded for laying the pipes supplying water separately, as they have been laid in the drains as of now.
Dr Savita Bhavanishankar, administrative medical officer of Mulky community health centre, has advised people to use mosquito nets, maintain cleanliness around the house, and ensure that water does not stagnate. Vani Alva, chief officer of Mulky town panchayat, said that various measures like removal of silt from drains and home to home visits have been undertaken to regulate spread of these diseases.