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Andhra Pradesh Intensifies Disease Surveillance After Heavy Rains
Heavy rain can leave water where mosquitoes and germs grow.
Andhra Pradesh is increasing efforts to prevent diseases such as malaria, dengue and scrub typhus.
By August 30, malaria cases were higher than during the same period last year.
Dengue cases also rose slightly.
Some districts saw especially large increases in scrub typhus and food- and water-borne illnesses.
Health workers will spray insecticide, remove mosquito larvae and distribute mosquito nets.
They will also test people with fevers and improve drinking-water safety.
Every Friday, officials and residents will clear places where mosquitoes can breed.
Andhra Pradesh reported 7,895 malaria cases by August 30, up 27.9% from last year.
Dengue cases rose 4.6% to 1,475, with increases in YSR Kadapa and Chittoor.
The state recorded 941 scrub typhus cases and 930 food- and water-borne disease cases.
Officials are expanding spraying, mosquito-net distribution, larval control, testing and drinking-water purification.
A weekly Friday ‘Dry Day’ will target stagnant water and other mosquito-breeding sites.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh government, led in this effort by Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, along with health workers and local officials.
- What
- The state is intensifying surveillance and preventive action against malaria, dengue, scrub typhus and water- and food-borne diseases.
- Where
- Across Andhra Pradesh, including vulnerable areas and districts such as Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Kurnool.
- When
- The measures were announced after heavy rainfall; case figures were reported as of August 30, with a weekly Friday ‘Dry Day’ planned.
- Why
- Heavy rainfall and resulting stagnant water increase concerns about mosquito-borne, food-borne and water-borne diseases.
Key facts
- Malaria cases
- 7,895 cases as of August 30, compared with 6,172 during the same period last year.
- Malaria increase
- Cases increased by 27.9%, particularly in Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram and Vizianagaram.
- Dengue cases
- 1,475 cases, up from 1,410 last year, a 4.6% increase.
- Scrub typhus cases
- The state recorded 941 cases this year.
- Food- and water-borne cases
- The state recorded 930 cases, including 408 in Srikakulam.
- Mosquito nets
- Distribution of 5,99,367 mosquito nets to eligible beneficiaries has begun.
- Weekly prevention effort
- A ‘Dry Day’ will be conducted every Friday to remove mosquito-breeding sites.
Sources
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