With the change in climate, the number of dengue and fever cases is on rise in the district.
According to Health Department statistics, various government hospitals in the district have seen over 5, 000 fever cases since June 1.
There is also a spurt in dengue cases with one suspected death reported from Thazhakara. The victim, Thomas, 55, died on June 8. Officials said between June 1 and 11, as many as 33 suspected and six confirmed cases of dengue were reported from Cheppad, Cherthala, Panavally, Thanneermukkom, Pallipuram and Thazhakara. Four cases of leptospirosis were also reported in the district since the turn of the month.
Officials said the number of cases turning up with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and other viral infections saw an upward spiral following the commencement of monsoon. The rise in dengue cases has been linked directly to lack of efforts at reduction of breeding sources for mosquitoes.
The district administration has urged individual households to focus on waste management and vector control measures. A meeting chaired by District Collector S. Suhas here recently directed all local bodies in the district to remove waste from public places and initiate measures for vector control. Dry day will be observed on June 17, officials said.
Meanwhile, following the death of a person, the Thazhakara grama panchayat has convened an all-party meeting on Tuesday to discuss ways to tackle the spread of dengue fever. Local residents complained that the panchayat had failed to conduct pre- monsoon drive in an effective way.