With monsoon gaining pace, fever cases increase in Kochi

KOCHI: With monsoon gaining momentum and IMD issuing a red alert in Ernakulam on Saturday, the number of fever cases in the district rose to 1,400 since Monday. In contrast, from July 8-12, the figure was 1,150 cases.


Data available with the district medical office showed that the number of fever cases is increasing steadily.

On Monday, there were 1,422 outpatients and 67 cases of fever, while on Tuesday it became 1,507 and 63 cases respectively. On Wednesday, it rose to 1,316 cases and 67 cases respectively.

In contrast, on July 8, there were only 1,194 fever cases. On July 9, 10,11 and 12, the figures were 1,208; 1247; 1,247; and 1,127 cases respectively. On Saturday and Sunday, OP cases fell to 906 and 203 respectively. In June, the average number of cases was below 1,000.

Data showed that the total number of fever cases touched 16,368 in the district in July. The number of dengue cases became 24 with four cases being confirmed on Wednesday. There are four leptospirosis cases, one new case was confirmed in Tripunithura on Wednesday. On the other hand, this year saw 61 H1N1 cases with two deaths being reported in the district.

“Viral fever is spreading as people, who are ill, are traveling or working. Most people come with symptoms of fever and cold,” said Ernakulam DMO Dr N K Kuttappan.

Health authorities admitted that they are not able to keep a check on the spread of viral fever. They are trying to control the spread of communicable diseases like dengue, malaria, leptospirosis and swine flu. Health authorities had a meeting with the district health department officials. At the meeting, a decision was taken to focus on problem areas like Kothamangalam where more cases were reported. Already, authorities have issued an advisory, besides creating awareness to keep premises clean to avoid waterborne diseases.

“Along with routine fever cases, we are seeing more cases of dengue and leptospirosis in the district. This time monsoon was delayed and due to this, we are seeing an increase in fever cases now,” said Dr T P Vijayan, physician at the general hospital in Ernakulam.

Physician Dr Sujit Vasudevan said compared to the previous week, the number of fever cases has risen. “This mainly due to the change in climate and low resistance in people. Most cases are viral fever, maybe influenza,” he said. Dr Vasudevan said that now illness is spreading from one infected family member to another. “I have a family of five, where everyone got fever one after the other. But they all settled down with ordinary medicine,” he said.