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United News of India
19 hours ago
- Health
- United News of India
Kerala: Amid rising COVID cases, risks of monsoon diseases loom large
Thiruvananthapuram, June 6 (UNI) Amid rising COVID-19 active cases, the risk of monsoon diseases like influenza, seasonal flu, dengue, malaria, chikungunya and typhoid looms large with the early arrival of the monsoon in Kerala. COVID- 19 and monsoon diseases present similar symptoms that include fever, body ache, fatigue, headache, sore throat and vomiting, which make it difficult to differentiate between them, Dr Naresh Purohit, Advisor, National Communicable Disease Programme, said. Therefore, it is important for people to know the specific symptoms of these diseases to get correct and timely attention, renowned Epidemiologist said. "One has to observe carefully for specific signs of diseases to recognise the difference. Dengue and malaria often cause high fever with chills and body rashes, typhoid gives stomach pain and slow-rising fever, while Covid-19 may cause loss of smell, cough, and breathing issues. However, a proper test by a medical expert is the best way to confirm the exact illness and avoid confusion," Purohit, who is also Principal Investigator for National Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, said. "While it is important to rest well and consume healthy food and fluids. It is also important to isolate immediately if one is suspecting Covid-19," he averred. "Monitor your health, wear a mask, and seek medical advice without wasting any time. Get tested to know the exact illness so the right treatment can start without delay. Don't try any home remedies and avoid self-medication," he advised. "Beyond the symptoms, taking diagnostic tests are important to identify the illness," he added. "Get tested with RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) or Antigen test, along with CBC (Complete Blood Count), Dengue NS1 (Non-Structural Protein 1), and MP (Malarial Parasite) tests as per presenting symptoms." he urged. "While the elderly above 65 years, immunocompromised individuals, unvaccinated people and those with comorbidities like diabetes and heart disease should be more careful about Covid-19, people living in areas with heavy rainfall, poor drainage and mosquito infestation are more at risk of contracting monsoon diseases," he cautioned. "Additionally, children and pregnant women may be more susceptible to dengue and malaria, and individuals with open wounds or exposure to contaminated water may be more at risk of leptospirosis," he added. UNI DS ARN
United News of India
6 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
Bandwidth enhancement from 1.7 gbps to 2x100 gbps a game changer in Lakshadweep: Praful Patel
Kochi/Lakshadweep, Jun 1 (UNI) Administrator Praful Patel has stated that the enhancement of bandwidth from 1.7 gbps to 2x100 gbps has fundamentally changed the communication infrastructure in the islands of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. This has also enabled e-education, e-medicine, e-governance, e-office, e-billing, digital banking, e- commerce, and other e-initiatives in the islands, the administrator told UNI. To enhance the networking infrastructure, 23 out of 27 old 2G/3G towers have been upgraded to 4G. Additionally, 20 new towers with 4G signal radiation are being erected, of which 13 have already been commissioned and 7 are under construction, Praful Patel said. On drinking water facilities, the administrator said, "None of the islands in Lakshadweep has surface freshwater sources, thus relying solely on underground water recharged during the monsoon for potable water." However, groundwater availability is very limited, making rainwater and desalination plants the primary sources of potable water. The administration had established 1 lakh litre capacity per day desalination plants at Kavaratti, Agatti and Minicoy in the past and has now established 1.5 lakh litre capacity plants at Kalpeni, Amini, Kadmat and Chetlat. A plant of 1.5 lakh litre capacity at Kiltan was also expected to be completed by the end of February 2025, and that at Androth by May 2025, Patel said. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Government of India has allocated Rs. 268.81 crore for expanding pipelines to provide functional household tap connections across 10 inhabited islands and installing five 1.5 lakh litre per day capacity desalination plants at Agatti, Kavaratti, Andrott, Amini and Minicoy. FHTCs have been provided to all households on all islands. UNI DS ARN
