Villupuram district administration steps up disease surveillance ahead of monsoon

The Villupuram district administration has intensified surveillance and preventive measures as part of its monsoon preparedness to tackle the possible outbreak of water-borne and vector-borne diseases, Collector Sheik Abdul Rahman has said

Chairing a review meeting here on Friday, he said that the Health and Family Welfare Department had stepped up fever surveillance, mosquito-larvae control, fogging, distribution of nilavembu kudineer and conduct of medical camps, particularly in rural areas. The drive was being carried out in coordination with Rural Development Department and local bodies.

Authorities were also undertaking sanitation work, fogging, chlorination of drinking water and immediate repair of damaged water pipelines on a war-footing, the Collector said.

Pointing out that dengue and chikungunya were spread by day-biting Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which bite only during daytime, he urged the residents to keep water-storage containers covered, clean tanks every week and remove discarded plastic items, tyres, coconut shells, broken pots, bottles and other objects that can collect rainwater.

People have also been advised to change water in flower pots, use mosquito nets and protective clothing for children, and cooperate with health workers carrying out mosquito-control activities.

The Collector said symptoms of dengue, include fever, body ache, muscle and joint pain, severe headache, fatigue, skin rashes, nausea and stomach pain. Patients with fever should take adequate fluids and oral rehydration solution. Those with fever lasting more than three days have been asked to visit government primary health centres or hospitals for tests and treatment.

The public has been cautioned against self-medication or buying medicines without a doctor’s advice. Residents have also been asked to promptly inform local health workers, sub-health centres or primary health centres, if fever or other infectious illnesses were reported in their neighbourhoods, schools, colleges or workplaces, he said.