Health officials identify 82 hotspots with high incidence of viral fevers in Khammam

Khammam health officials have identified 82 disease hotspots amid a sharp rise in dengue and viral fevers. Over 40,000 cases have been reported this year, with sanitation cited as a key issue

Khammam: The district medical and health department has identified 82 hotspots with a high incidence of viral fevers, dengue, malaria and chikungunya cases.

The hotspots were identified based on data from the past four years. Over 200 dengue cases were reported from these areas, according to officials. Sixteen dengue cases have been recorded in government hospitals so far this year, with numbers expected to rise once private hospital cases are included. Official records show more than 40,000 viral fever cases this year, half of them in the past two months alone.

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Two persons have died in the district due to dengue after failing to receive timely treatment. Pandiri Appi Reddy (24) of Kusumanchi mandal died at a private hospital, while yoga teacher K. Sridevi of Tallada died on July 24; a medical officer was suspended for alleged negligence in her case.

In another case, K. Haritha of Tanikella, who was found to be suffering from viral fever during a fever survey, was advised to get admitted at the local PHC but instead went to a private hospital and died as her condition worsened, Pedagopathi PHC health officer Dr. Ramakrishna said.

District Medical and Health Officer Dr. Kalavathi Bai and DTCO Dr. Subba Rao visited Bonakal and Tirumalayapalem mandals, where dengue cases were recently reported, to raise awareness among locals on preventive measures against mosquitoes.

Dr. Kalavathi Bai said a door-to-door fever survey was under way, with focus on sanitation and dropping oil balls in drainages. District Collector Anudeep Durisetty stated that steps were being taken to control the spread of seasonal diseases such as malaria and dengue.

Residents in both villages and towns have complained of poor sanitation, which they said was contributing to mosquito breeding. They alleged that gram panchayat and municipal officials were failing to carry out cleaning activities regularly.