Health Minister Veena George said that the activities focused on the hot spots should continue for six weeks in the event of continued rains in the state. Vigorous source destruction activities should continue at the local body level. ICU, ICU and ventilator usage in state hospitals is normal. There has been no increase in them due to influenza.
Special attention should be paid to the water provided in the relief camps. Only boiled water should be given to drink. Special care should be taken to avoid waterborne diseases. The minister also suggested that the field visit of the health department staff should be conducted effectively. The minister gave the directive in a meeting of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) which was formed as part of the epidemic prevention activities.
Common colds, coughs, viral fevers, influenza-H1N1, dengue, rabies and diarrheal diseases are more common during the rainy season. These can be prevented with proper treatment and rest. Do not send sick children to school. Special care should be taken by children, elderly, pregnant women and those with other related diseases. Influenza, colds and coughs can be prevented by personal safety measures such as masks, social distancing and hand hygiene. Do not self-medicate. Any symptoms should be treated.
People with fever or diarrhea should drink plenty of water and fluids. If you have a fever that lasts for more than three days or any other symptoms, you should seek professional treatment. If you see symptoms such as shortness of breath with fever, excessive palpitations, chest pain, slurred speech, fainting, blood in sputum, excessive fatigue, you should seek professional treatment as soon as possible.
Those who have had dengue fever before should be especially careful as the health condition may become complicated if re-infected. The situation of mosquito breeding should be prevented by keeping water inside and outside the house and establishment. Personal precautions should be taken to avoid mosquito bites. Those who come in contact with soil or sewage must take doxycycline, an anti-rabies pill, as prescribed by health workers. Volunteers entering the water must take doxycycline.
Diarrheal diseases, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A (jaundice) etc. are more common diseases during the rainy season. Drink only boiled water. Wash hands with soap and water after defecating and before eating. Dehydration makes the disease worse. So drink plenty of drinks.
In the event that cholera was reported in a private care home in Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram, the health department is vigorously conducting cholera prevention activities in the area. Measures are being taken to prevent new clusters from forming.
In Malappuram cases of malaria have been reported, the health department has issued a warning. The minister appreciated the health workers who detected malaria at its onset. The health department has intensified preventive measures. Pregnant women, infants, children under 5 years of age, the elderly, and other seriously ill people are at risk of complications from malaria. Proper treatment for malaria is available in all government hospitals and health centers. Malaria can be completely cured if you seek treatment as soon as you notice the symptoms. You can protect yourself from mosquito bites if you protect yourself from malaria, the minister said.
