Deccan Herald
 
Mangalore, Aug 2: Chikungunya has spread its tentacles across the State and 7.5 lac suspected cases are being reported, informed Principal Secretary of Department of Health and Family Welfare Usha Ganeshan.

Briefing media persons in the city on Tuesday, she said that every fever is mistaken for Chikungunya in Karnataka due to its similarities with flu.

Admitting the delay in detecting the disease, she said that blood samples of the patients should be sent for laboratory in Pune for testing. But suspected case are being treated on the basis of manifestations and traits of the disease, she added and said that 17 cases of Chikungunya fever have been confirmed in DK district and most of them are working as construction labourers. Blood samples have been sent to Pune laboratory and results of which are awaited, she revealed.
 

Malaria

As many as 4,600 cases of Malaria has been reported, the PF variety of which can be fatal. Mangalore is among the 8 cities that are receiving assistance from the State for anti-Malaria campaign. ‘Source reduction,’ should be carried out by clearing stagnant water which is the breeding ground of mosquitoes. Since construction workers who have migrated from other places to the city are vulnerable for the disease, Mangalore Corporation authorities have been told to ensure sanitary conditions around construction sites, she stated.

Barring Malaria and Kyasanoor Forest Disease there is no other major health risk in the region. Dakshina Kannada district serves a good example for public-private initiative in health services, she hailed.

Appointment

Department of Finance has given approval to fill up vacant posts in Health Department. Process of recruiting 500 doctors and 2,300 para-medical personnel will be completed within three months. For the effective implementation of Health programmes in rural areas 900 junior health assistants are required of which 550 posts will be filled immediately, she informed.

“As many as 30 candidates from Dakshina Kannada district have qualified junior health assistant exams held recently and will be offered placement in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts,” she revealed.

Earlier, attending meeting of Taluk Health Officers in the city, she instructed the civic bodies of Dakshina Kannada district to take precautionary measures to combat malaria.

Building bylaws should be strictly enforced to facilitate free flow of water in the drains to avoid breeding of mosquitoes.

Municipalities and Corporations have a great role to play in Malaria eradication.

Public campaign and awareness programmes on Malaria should be conducted on regular basis, she suggested.

Earlier in the day, Usha Ganeshan also visited Subrahmanya Primary health Centre and Lady Goshan and Wenlock Hospitals in the city.

District Health Officer Dr Jagannath was present.