Telangana Health department warns of surge in monsoon illnesses

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting light to moderate rainfall across Telangana for the next week and issuing heavy rainfall alert for the next two days, the Health department has issued a public advisory urging citizens to take preventive measures against a likely surge in seasonal illnesses.

The advisory, issued by B. Ravinder Nayak, director of Public Health and Family Welfare on Sunday, highlights the heightened risk of vector-borne, water-borne and airborne diseases during monsoon. Lower temperatures and increased humidity, typical of the season, are known to foster conditions conducive to illnesses such as dengue, malaria, typhoid, viral fevers and influenza.

To tackle the mosquito menace and prevent diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, citizens have been urged to secure doors and windows with mosquito screens or nets, cover beds and cribs with mosquito nets, especially at night, use mosquito repellents regularly, maintain household drains to prevent water stagnation, ensure septic tanks are covered with mesh to avoid mosquito breeding, and observe ‘Friday Dry Day’ every week by emptying and drying out any containers or spots where water may collect around the house.

With the risk of infections such as jaundice, typhoid, and acute gastroenteritis on the rise during rains, the Health Department has advised people to drink only filtered or boiled water, wash hands thoroughly, especially before meals and after using the restroom, and avoid outside food, particularly stale or uncovered items.

The advisory also covers precautions against airborne infections, including viral fevers and seasonal flu. People have been asked to refrain from shaking hands if unwell or in contact with someone who is sick, use hand sanitisers frequently, cover the mouth and nose with a handkerchief while coughing or sneezing. Individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and body aches are urged to visit the nearest government health facility.

One can call the ‘108’ ambulance service in case of any health emergency.

The department has made special arrangements across all public health facilities. These include the provisioning of special beds, IV fluids, essential medicines, and Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS). ANMs, ASHAs and Anganwadi workers have also been equipped with medicines and ORS sachets to respond swiftly to any emergency at the community level, the advisory said.