The Belgaum region is experiencing an increase in instances of typical illnesses like the flu, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, mainly attributed to tainted food and water as well as severe weather conditions. Persistent rain throughout the past week has worsened the scenario, impacting the well-being of locals. Furthermore, the area is confronting a rise in dengue infections.
Health authorities have stressed increased monitoring in regions adjacent to water reservoirs and have put in place preventative actions to contain the disease’s transmission. The district comprises approximately 1.25 million households, encompassing both rural and urban sectors.
Health department personnel are conducting household visits every fortnight to raise awareness about dengue, chikungunya, and other viral illnesses. A survey conducted by the health department from January to April revealed 56 confirmed cases of dengue and 643 suspected cases reported across Belagavi district, encompassing areas such as Ramdurg, Khanapur, Bailhongal, Belagavi, Chikodi, Gokak, Hukkeri, and Belagavi Rural.
During the same period, there were 2,230 reported cases of typhoid. Additionally, 119 individuals experienced vomiting, 83 cases of tuberculosis were confirmed, and 67 cases of hepatitis were also recorded. Deepak, a Shahapur resident, mentioned that the recent unseasonal rains have led to fluctuating health among the population, causing issues such as fever, dysentery, and stomach pains.
Given the increase in instances of common illnesses, the health department is actively engaged in educating the public on this matter. They recommend individuals with fever to seek medical attention at the nearest government hospital to check for dengue. Residents are advised to prevent stagnant water accumulation around their homes and mosquito fogging is underway in areas with higher case counts. Additionally, residents are urged to change the water in their household tanks at least once weekly.
Physicians noted that the 170 government hospitals in the district are facing challenges in providing adequate check-ups and treatment to patients. Occasionally, individuals infected with dengue may not exhibit any symptoms. Symptoms typically manifest within 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dengue symptoms may include headaches, joint pain, nausea, eye pain, and swollen glands. Additionally, the number of platelets responsible for blood clotting decreases during dengue infection.
District Health Officer Dr. Mahesh Koni stated that dengue and chikungunya outbreaks are typical during the onset of the rainy season. “Preventive measures have been implemented to curb mosquito proliferation, and health department personnel are conducting household visits to raise awareness and mitigate the situation,” he remarked.
