Latest news with #FridayDryDay
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
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.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Intensify mosquito control measures, remove stagnant water sources: Chittoor DM&HO
The onset of rains has prompted the Medical and Health Department officials to launch a month-long dengue prevention campaign in Chittoor district. District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) D.T. Sudharani held a review meeting for the medical, paramedical staff, and lab technicians, here on Saturday. The DM&HO directed the field staff to intensify mosquito control measures, destroy larvae, and remove stagnant water sources. She informed them to step up a series of awareness drives in every village to ensure strict enforcement of the 'Friday Dry Day' norm. Dr. Sudharani said that rapid test kits were supplied to all primary health centres (PHCs) for blood sample testing for suspected dengue cases. The medical official highlighted the importance of publishing daily updates in newspapers for public awareness. She called for regular TB screenings for suspected patients throughout the district in a phased manner. Senior officials from the wings of Tuberculosis Control, Immunisation, and Malaria departments took part in the meeting.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Chittoor prepares for intensified diarrhea control drive
The Medical and Health Department on Friday launched two focused drives to tackle diarrhea and mosquito-borne diseases across the district. Addressing the medical and paramedical staff here on Friday (June 13), District Medical and Health Officer Dr. D.T. Sudharani directed the medical officers to review preparations for the 'Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)' campaign and submit a report in a couple of days. She said that the primary goal of the IDCF is to reduce child mortality among children below five years. The ANMs, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi staff were instructed to conduct door-to-door surveys and sensitise families about diarrhea prevention from June 16 to July 31. 'Setting up of ORS corners in all primary health centres, wellness centres, and Anganwadi centres is mandatory. Parents are advised to get their children vaccinated for rotavirus. Children with any symptoms will be treated with ORS and zinc tablets, and will be referred to higher institutions if necessary,' the DMHO said. Meanwhile, District Malaria Officer Venu Gopal on Friday conducted inspections of the 'Friday Dry Day' activities at the Urban Health Centre at Mapakshi village of Gudipala mandal near Chittoor and also visited LB Puram and CG Palle villages. He said that the inspections were part of the ongoing Malaria Prevention Month and while interacting with the residents, he urged them to observe Dry Day every Friday as it is important to check mosquito breeding and prevent diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis. Later, the official visited the Anganwadi centre at Mapakshi and stressed on the need for mesh doors and maintenance of clean surroundings to protect children from mosquito bites.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Lower temperatures and increased humidity could spike malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and other diseases: Telangana DPH
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rains across Telangana over the next two days, the State's Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Dr Ravinder B. Nayak has issued a health advisory urging citizens to take precautionary measures against seasonal illnesses. The advisory warns that the combination of lower temperatures and increased humidity could lead to a spike in vector-borne and waterborne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, acute gastroenteritis, jaundice, and typhoid. To curb the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, the advisory has urged residents to secure doors and windows with mosquito screens, use repellents, maintain domestic drains to avoid water stagnation, and cover septic tanks with mesh. Citizens have also been advised to observe 'Friday Dry Day' each week to eliminate stagnant water around their homes. To prevent waterborne infections, the public was encouraged to drink only filtered or boiled water, maintain strict hand hygiene, especially before and after meals and avoid consuming stale or roadside food. 'With the threat of airborne infections such as viral fevers and influenza, people should refrain from handshakes, use hand sanitizers frequently, and cover their mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing. Those experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, headache, sore throat, and body aches are advised to visit the nearest government health facility. For emergencies, the public can dial 108 for ambulance services,' as per the advisory. It added that special beds, IV fluids, and essential medicines were arranged across public health facilities. ANMs, ASHAs, and Anganwadi workers are equipped with medicines and ORS sachets to respond swiftly to any health emergencies.
Hans India
26-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Malaria cases see decline in Tirupati district: DM&HO
Tirupati: District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) Dr V Balakrishna Naik said that malaria cases in the district are steadily declining year by year – a development that is both encouraging and significant. He was speaking after inaugurating an awareness rally at the DM&HO office on World Malaria Day on Friday. Dr Naik stated that no malaria cases have been reported in the district from January 2025 to date. Efforts are being intensified with the goal of eliminating malaria completely by 2027. Targets include keeping the number of cases below one per 1,000 people and improving surveillance metrics like ABER (Annual Blood Examination Rate) and MBER (Monthly Blood Examination Rate). Special programmes like the Vector Control and Hygiene App have been introduced to raise awareness digitally. 'We are implementing 'Friday Dry Day' at the village and ward level to eliminate mosquito breeding sources,' Dr Naik added. Review meetings are being conducted regularly by the District Collector and health officials to monitor progress. As part of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), the Telangana State Government, with NHM support, is actively running campaigns against malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and filariasis. Malaria diagnosis and treatment services are readily available, and integrated vector control measures like indoor residual spraying (IRS) and use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are ongoing with interdepartmental coordination. Dr GK Roop Kumar, District Malaria Officer, explained public awareness is being raised on preventive actions such as avoiding stagnant water, using mosquito repellents and nets, and early diagnosis using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs).
