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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
At monsoon relief camps, stress on precautionary measures to prevent Covid transmission, infectious diseases
Intensifying monsoon has aggravated the fears of infectious diseases outbreaks as well as increased transmission of Covid, especially in rain relief camps. The rains may not have a direct bearing on Covid transmission but the infection can spread like wildfire in closed settings such as in relief camps, where isolation or physical distancing between people will not work. The Health department has thus issued a special warning that all possible precautionary measures be taken in relief camps so that there are no chances of an enhanced transmission of Covid. Covid cases have shown a spike in the State, which is being attributed to the increased circulation of the Omicron JN.1 and its sub-lineages, LF.7 and NB.1.8, which has been responsible for the resurgence in Covid cases in southeast Asian nations such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. There are over 700 active cases of Covid in the State now, with most of the cases located in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Alapuzha While these virus variants may not cause severe disease, its transmission potential remains high, putting the vulnerable population – the elderly, young children, pregnant women and those with comorbidities – at risk. Masking and hand hygiene are of utmost importance in preventing Covid and those in relief camps and these precautions are important to prevent Covid transmission in camps, Health department has said. Those in camps with any respiratory symptoms, including running nose, cough or breathlessness should necessarily wear masks and camp inmates who newly develop symptoms should inform the Health authorities. Those found to be having Covid will be provided protocol-based care. The threat of infectious diseases, including dengue, chikungunya, leptospirosis and Hepatitis A also becomes acute during the rainy season and this is something else that should be paid attention to in relief camps. The Health department has asked local medical teams to visit relief camps and to ensure that any sick persons are cared for and that medicines are provided. Relief workers as well as volunteers who are likely to be in contact with stagnant rain water should opt for doxycycline prophylaxis to prevent leptospirosis. The camp premises should not become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and should be kept clean. Only boiled water should be provided as drinking water in relief camps, the Health department has advised.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Bengaluru reports first Covid death, 38 active cases in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Bengaluru has reported its first Covid-19 death, according to an official statement issued by the Karnataka Health Department. The patient died on Saturday, said the Health Department, adding that 108 persons were tested for Covid in the last 24 hours, and five persons tested positive. One person was discharged from the hospital, and the total number of active cases stood at 38. Among the total 38 active cases, 32 are reported from Bengaluru. A total of 92 persons had undergone the test in the city, and two persons were positive in the last 24 hours, the report said. The Ballari, Bengaluru Rural, Mangaluru, and Vijayanagar districts have one active case each and Mysuru district has reported two active cases, according to the report. Sources in the Health Department stated that the deceased is an 85-year-old man. Sources also stated that a woman who had returned from Mumbai has tested positive and has been kept in home isolation. In Belagavi, a pregnant woman has tested positive. She had travelled to Pune last month. Many district hospitals, including Dharwad, have opened a 10-bed ICU ward exclusively for the treatment of Covid-infected people. The technical advisory committee had suggested that the Health department start the Covid tests in eight medical colleges from Sunday across Karnataka, sources confirmed. In response to a recent rise in Covid-19 cases in Karnataka, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that while there is a slight uptick in cases in the state and in Bengaluru, there is no cause for concern. Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Saturday, Minister Rao said, 'There is nothing to be alarmed about. It's a very normal situation. There has been a slight increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, with a slight rise over the last 15 days.' He added that the state's Technical Advisory Committee had met recently to discuss the situation. 'We have issued an advisory stating that those with severe respiratory illnesses, especially those in hospitals, should get tested for Covid-19.' He further advised, 'People who are on immunosuppressant drugs for various conditions, those with low immunity, pregnant women, and children should be a bit more cautious when visiting crowded places. Preferably, wear a mask in crowded areas. It not only helps in preventing Covid-19 but also other viral and bacterial infections. However, wearing masks is not compulsory. There are no travel bans or movement restrictions within the city or state,' he clarified. Minister Rao reiterated that normal life can continue without fear. 'Everything is normal, work, life, and routine activities. So far, 257 cases have been reported across the country, and importantly, none of them have shown serious symptoms. Only mild symptoms have been detected, so there is no need to panic. My appeal to the public is that Covid-19 is now endemic. The coronavirus has become part of our system, just like any other virus. At any given time, someone may have Covid-19. The real concern is whether a new or severe variant emerges,' he added. The minister said that Covid tests are mandatory only for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases. 'Otherwise, standard guidelines apply: keep your hands clean, maintain hygiene. These measures are beneficial not just for Covid-19 but for preventing many other diseases as well.' The Karnataka Health Department on Friday issued an advisory and said that a gradual increase is seen in the spread of Covid in Bengaluru in the last 20 days.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Kerala braces for dengue, leptospirosis outbreaks as monsoon season arrives
Kerala is bracing for yet another epidemic season as the Southwest monsoon settles in early, with the Health department issuing a warning that the threat of a spike in dengue and leptospirosis is real. Seasonal epidemics of dengue fever and leptospirosis outbreaks during monsoon months has been a regular feature in the State since the past several decades. All four serotypes of dengue virus are endemic in the State and while cases are reported throughout the year, Kerala has been experiencing explosive, cyclical outbreaks during the monsoon season since 2013. Leptospirosis and water-borne diseases, especially hepatitis A, has been emerging as a major public health concern in the State in recent years and the change in weather conditions could aggravate the transmission of these diseases, health officials say. The Health department stepped up its public health alerts on Saturday as soon as the arrival of Southwest monsoon was formally confirmed and all districts have been asked to augment preparatory measures. All hospitals have been asked to be prepared for a hike in hospital admissions and to ensure adequate medicine stocks and supplies. Many healthcare institutions are also preparing to face the threat of waterlogging and the Health department has also asked districts to be ready with alternate arrangements, in case rains intensify and low-lying areas get inundated. Even though pre-monsoon cleaning activities are an annual feature in the State, the focus shifts to source reduction activities once rains begin. The Health department stresses that while source reduction activities should be sustained, it is important that people take self-care measures to protect themselves against mosquito bites using insect repellants, protective clothing etc. This is also the season when those engaged in farming, dairy farming activities as well as those who take up outdoor cleaning activities should necessarily use protective gumboots and gloves and consider taking doxycycline prophylaxis to prevent themselves from contracting leptospirosis. Children as well as adults should ensure that they clean their hands and feet with soap if they wade into rain water. Children should be prevented from playing in stagnant rain pools. The Health department has also issued a renewed warning to people that the drinking water should be boiled properly to prevent the possible transmission of hepatitis A infection. Contamination of water sources is a real possibility during rains and using only boiled water for drinking is a public health measure which can go a long way in preventing all water-borne diseases, including typhoid, cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases. Hepatitis A can rapidly spread amongst household contacts of a diseased person and others with whom the individual interacts closely. Hence those who were diagnosed with hepatitis A and are now recovering, should maintain strict personal hygiene and stay away from handling food or vessels in the kitchen, health officials said. All rain relief camps should follow the guidelines so that no infectious diseases outbreaks happen within camps, they said.
United News of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
CM alerts bordering areas across Bihar
Patna, May 8 (UNI) In the backdrop of operation Sindoor, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday reviewed the security arrangements and instructed the authorities to remain alert in the bordering areas across the state. Kumar reviewed the security at a high-level meeting here during which the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police apprised him that the leave of all administrative and police officers as well as police personnel and all officers and personnel associated with disaster management has been cancelled. All personnel associated with the Health department and Law & Order have been put on high alert. In the meeting, the Chief Minister directed to put the border districts of the state on high alert. Instructing for strict monitoring of traffic, he asked to keep any suspicious person and objects under strict surveillance. Kumar asked the authorities to enhance the security of all important institutions in the border districts and directed them to ensure continuous intensive patrolling. During the meeting, Kumar directed all district magistrates and police superintendents to remain fully cautious about the security of important places and institutions under their jurisdiction. The Chief Minister also asked to strictly check the rumours and fake news being spread through social media and other such handles. There is no need to panic, he said, noting that under prevailing scenario the government was fully alert. He said that the entire country was proud of the courage and valour of the Indian Army and was united against terrorism. He said everyone has unwavering faith and pride in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chief Minister will hold a high-level review meeting on May 10 in Purnia with senior officials of the border districts of the state in the backdrop of 'Operation Sindoor'. UNI RS SS
New Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Sambalpur reels under intense heatwave, normal life affected
SAMBALPUR: As mercury continues to soar across Odisha, Sambalpur is battling an intense heatwave with the district recording a temperature of 43.8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. In the past week, temperature has been consistently hovering between 40 and 44 degrees C in Sambalpur, prompting the district administration to ramp up measures to prevent heatstroke incidents. Chief district medical officer (CDMO) Dr Sujata Rani Mishra said special wards for sunstroke patients have been set up in different hospitals. 'A six-bed unit is now operational at the district headquarters hospital. Similar wards comprising two to four beds have also been set up in primary and community health centres,' she said. These wards have been equipped with air conditioners/coolers and stocked with ORS packets and IV saline. Nodal officers have been appointed to oversee operations at these wards. The CDMO further said no confirmed heatstroke cases have been reported in the district so far this year. At least 132 such cases were recorded in Sambalpur by April last year. However, during the chief minister's public grievance hearing held at Sambalpur Municipal Corporation office on Monday, 40 people were rushed for medical attention after they showed sunstroke-like symptoms. They recovered after receiving medical care, and officials have classified them as suspected cases of heatstroke, but not confirmed cases, Mishra added. Meanwhile, the hot weather conditions have significantly impacted normal life in the district. Streets are wearing deserted looks in the afternoons with small vendors, daily wage earners and construction labourers shortening their work hours to avoid peak heat. A sugarcane juice seller at Golbazar chowk Jitendar Kushwaha said, 'I now open my stall before 8 am and close it from 1 pm to 5 pm. Earlier, business was good even in the afternoon, but now it's too hot and people aren't coming out.' Notably, the Health department has urged people to stay indoors during peak hours, stay hydrated and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of heat exhaustion.
