Indore: With summer ready to hit the city and the temperature increasing gradually, health department has geared up to control the outbreak of seasonal diseases. The frequent fluctuation in weather seems to have taken toll on immunity of people as the number of patients suffering from seasonal diseases is on rise. The health department has alerted its officials to check availability of medicines at all health centres and government hospitals as cases of residents suffering from seasonal diseases mainly from fever, cough, cold and body ache have increased.
“Due to weather fluctuation, viral infections and cases of fever and cold are also increasing. Rising temperature and humidity after a short spell of cold condition causes such health problems,” chief medical and health officer Dr Pravin Jadia said. He said number of viral disease and diarrhoea cases will rise in coming days. While symptoms of seasonal diseases are already on rise, those who have low immunity are in vulnerable zone.
“Humidity and water contamination provides appropriate conditions for bacterial growth due to which the cases of seasonal diseases occur. Vector-borne diseases will also remain high due to hot temperature. Number of people suffering from viral disorders has increased almost by 20 per cent,” he said. Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital superintendent Dr PS Thakur said number of patients suffering from viral disorders has increased in hospital’s OPD. About 20 to 30 per cent cases in OPD are of viral disorders.
Physician Dr Mahendra Jha said numbers do not tell the exact situation as all the hospitals do not report figures to health department. “From viral fever to typhoid, cases of food and water-borne diseases and even vector-borne diseases will swell,” he added.
FDA tightens belt
Senior food safety officer Manish Swami said food and drugs administration department too has geared up for the season and have started collecting samples of edibles including juices and dairy products from local shops and eateries. “We will launch a drive across the city to spread awareness among people to maintain hygiene while having food from open places,” he added.