Date:09/06/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/06/09/stories/2003060903830300.htm

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Epidemic control exercise

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM June 8. The District Medical Officer, K. Shailaja, has said there will be an outbreak of epidemics in the city if public awareness about diseases is not created and there is an increased need for hygiene among the public.

Dr. Shailaja told a news conference here on Saturday that Dengue fever, malaria and cholera were some of the common diseases that might reach epidemic scales. Improper disposal of waste, lack of potable water and high density of population made disease control difficult for the Government.

Until now 83 cases of Dengue fever had been confirmed in the district. Only one person was confirmed to have died of the disease after laboratory tests.