Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Agency: diarrhoea under control

VISAKHAPATNAM: Lack of protected water supply and transport facilities, along with the perennial problem of malnutrition in the Visakha Agency area have once again been exposed when two deaths due to diarrhoea and two due to heat wave and exhaustion have been reported during the last few days.

The diarrhoea cases were reported in Anantagiri mandal soon after more than 50 cutaneous anthrax cases have been identified in the Munchingput mandal during March and two deaths, reportedly due to anthrax. One more death due to anthrax during late April, after the patient did not consume medicines but had alcohol and went without food, made the district medical and health department to step up the anti-anthrax measures.

District Medical and Health Officer J. Sarojini on Saturday told The Hindu that the two deaths in Anantagiri mandal, that of Rudi Manjula, a 14-year-old girl on April 24 evening and Badam Gangulu (60) on the next day were due to exhaustion and dehydration. Manjula, who was studying in a residential school, walked from Devarapalli to Pinakota, a distance of about 25 km, and from there to Jaladi where she collapsed and died. Gangulu also walked the same distance and before reaching Jalada he reportedly consumed some contaminated food at Pinakota. He became sick and died on the morning of April 25. Boosi Naidu of Bandagaruvu also died due to exhaustion earlier.

Killo Malasayya (60) and a woman Killo Dumbai (35) of Chinagaruvu in Pinakota panchayat under Jalada sub-centre died due to diarrhoea. “The Medical Officer and his staff could reach the village quickly as it lacked proper road connectivity”, Dr. Sarojini said. While Malasayya died on the night of April 27 before the medical team reached the village, the other patient was in a bad shape and did not respond to the treatment.

A total of 32 cases of diarrhoea have been reported since April 26. Base medical camps were started at Jalada and Kivarala villages, six teams have been sent from here and one vehicle each has been stationed at Jalada and Devada villages to transport the medical teams to the villages. All the required medicines are made available.

Medical camps started since April 24 would continue till May 12. The situation would be reviewed and camps would be continued if needed.

Death of Korra Chendiga (55) of Karlapodar on April 27, even though he was under treatment for anthrax, made the administration sit up. This was the third death due to anthrax and 56 other cases have been identified. “Since the patients have to take medicines continuously for two months, we are continuing with base camps at Lakshmipuram, Barada and Makavaram villages. Teams consisting of medical and veterinary staff would ensure that all the patients consumed drugs regularly till June end”, she said.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu