Seasonal ailments see sharp dip in Hyderabad
Lockdown not only helped break Covid transmission but also has gone a long way in keeping seasonal ailments at bay
Hyderabad: The lockdown has not only helped break the transmission chain of the SARS-CoV-2 but also has gone a long way in keeping seasonal ailments at bay. The month of May recorded a major drop in cases of heat strokes and other food and water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, food poisoning and gastroenteritis.
Senior doctors and district health authorities are hoping that the ongoing lockdown and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour will continue to have a positive impact in June when temperatures are expected to drop, as monsoons become active.
At present, the daily inflow at general outpatients (OPDs) at Fever Hospital, Nallakunta, Osmania General Hospital (OGH) and other local Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) across the twin cities has registered a significant dip. “There is a big drop in general OPs in the last one month, as seasonal ailments have remained under control in Hyderabad. Even cases of Covid infections have dropped significantly due to lockdown. We are hoping that in the coming days, seasonal ailments like malaria and dengue also remain under check. There is a definite need to be cautious while lifting lockdown, as sudden ease in restrictions could lead to a rise in both Covid-19 and seasonal ailments,” says Superintendent, Fever Hospital, Dr K Shankar.
The monsoon season, which could prolong till October in Hyderabad, has the potential to trigger vector-borne ailments including viral fevers, malaria, dengue and even swine flu. “After the experience with Covid-19, there is a lot of acceptance among the general public towards precautionary measures like extensive use of masks, maintaining physical distancing and consuming treated water and avoiding stale food. People must realise that simple precautionary measures will go a long way in easing medical costs towards treatment and also reduce pressure on healthcare infrastructure,” Dr Shankar pointed out.
Apart from Fever Hospital, the inflow of patients with seasonal ailments to the General OP at OGH has also gone down. Senior health officials are hoping that even if the lockdown restrictions are lifted, people will continue to take precautions, which will have a significant impact on seasonal ailments in the coming months. “There is a definite drop in cases of seasonal ailments and Covid infections, as the lockdown is being imposed strictly. Handling a simultaneous rise in seasonal ailments and Covid would have been difficult,” says Superintendent, OGH, Dr B Nagender.
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