Vector-borne diseases decline in Mancherial, claim officials

The downward trend is being attributed by officials to a slew of measures taken by them

Mancherial: If officials of the Health, Medical and Family Welfare department are to be believed, the number of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis which used to be common in monsoon is declining in the district. The trend is being attributed to measures taken by the officials.

As many as 45,489 blood samples were collected to ascertain malaria fever in 2024 as against 93,794 samples in 2023 and 1,32,279 samples gathered in 2022. Officials said no positive case of malaria was reported from 2018 to 2024. Similarly, the district saw 74 dengue fever cases in 2023 compared to 116 cases in 2022 and 118 cases in 2021. Dengue fever claimed four lives in 2019.

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The district registered only two cases of chikungunya in 2020 and 2019 and three cases in 2018, according to officials. It recorded a single case of Japanese encephalitis in 2019. There was no reporting of the two diseases from 2021 to 2024, they said.

“Besides creating awareness among the public, village, mandal and sub-centre level rapid response teams were formed to control vector-borne diseases. The teams are coordinating with various departments to achieve the objective. Breeding checkers were engaged to check breeding of mosquitoes. The checkers inspect 100 houses per day. Anti-larva chemicals are being sprayed in water stagnant areas,” In-charge district medical and health officer Dr S Anitha told ‘Telangana Today.’

Likewise, 25,000 high-quality mosquito nets were given to government-run hostels, while 5,000 nets were provided to villages categorized as high-risk zones. Camps are being held in a village if the diseases spread. Serious cases are referred to district hospitals.

Meanwhile, World Malaria Day is observed on April 25, while National Dengue Day is conducted on May 15 to raise understanding among the public over the two diseases. Every Friday is treated as ‘Dry Day’ to eradicate mosquitoes in rural parts. Health activists, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers inspect houses to find out if anyone is diagnosed with fever. They inform details of those who are ill and their month-long history with health centres.