By Shankar Raj*
Thiruvananthapuram: An epidemic alert has been issued across Kerala following outbreaks of dengue and hepatitis which have claimed six lives so far.
Health Minister Veena George issued the epidemic alert to all districts as heavy rain continues to lash the state resulting in an increased risk of epidemics attributed to climate change. Hospitals have been told to ensure the availability of essential medicines and the operational readiness of fever clinics in all major healthcare facilities.
In an advisory to the public, the minister outlined specific guidelines to minimise health hazards, including avoiding contact with mud, stagnant water, and rainwater.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader V D Satheesan flayed the health department for its inefficiency in taking adequate precautions to control the spread of diseases in the state. The government has failed to provide adequate help to people admitted to various hospitals with jaundice, said Satheesan.
“Despite an increase in jaundice cases in several districts, no steps have been taken to prevent its spread. Reports are that it has spread from contaminated water sources in a few parts of the state. The health department is not taking any steps to cleanse these water bodies,” he added.
“During the heatwave, several people suffered serious health issues in the state and there were reports of people losing their life after collapsing during summer. Nobody knows whether it is the aftermath of the pandemic or the aftereffects of Covid vaccination. No serious studies are being carried out in the state by the health department to find the reasons behind these deaths,” he said.
Meanwhile, the heavy rains in south Kerala have so far claimed six lives. The latest death was that of a native from Bihar who was swept away in a flooded river in Pathanamthitta.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert from the state capital till Thrissur district and an orange alert for the rest of the districts for heavy to very heavy rainfall. The districts falling under red alert are expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall of above 204.4mm.
Several areas in Thiruvananthapuram city faced waterlogging as summer showers continued to lash the state capital. Yellow alerts have been issued for Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts with an expected rainfall ranging between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm.
*Shankar Raj is a former editor of The New Indian Express, Karnataka and Kerala, and writes regularly on current affairs.
