Kalamassery hotspot of dengue cases in district

Kochi: Ernakulam has now become the ‘dengue capital’ of Kerala, and in the district, majority of cases have been reported from Kalamassery municipality.
In June, Kalamassery recorded 115 confirmed dengue cases, with an average of four new cases per day. In July, Kalamassery reported an average nine cases per day. In seven days of July, 60 confirmed dengue cases have been reported in Kalamassery, i.e.almost 28% of total 221 cases reported in the district.

Though similar number of cases are being reported in Kochi corporation limits, it is mostly scattered across a wider area. But in Kalamassery, cases are mostly reported near Kalamassery medical college and places close to Edapally.
Health authorities in the municipality feigned ignorance on the reasons for rise in cases, but they put the ultimate blame on the public. “There were only 22 confirmed cases till May 25. But cases skyrocketed after heavy rains lashed later. The reason for these cases is that people are dumping waste at public places and on open lands. Water accumulated in the waste during rains is leading to the rise in dengue cases,” said a health official of the municipality.
Meanwhile, Nishad A K, health standing committee chairman of the municipality, said most cases are reported from areas where flooding was reported during the May-end cloudburst at Edapally.
Bindu Manoharan, former health standing committee chairperson, said no effective spraying and fogging had taken place in the municipality. “Had spraying been effective, we could have killed the larvae of aedes mosquito. That’s why cases are rising,” she said.
In Kochi city, most cases have been reported from around Kaloor, Thammanam, Vennala, Ponnurunni and Chambakkara areas. Thammanam councillor Sakeer Thammanam said they give money to Asha workers to buy mosquito repellants, as there is no help from govt system.
Meanwhile, the district public health committee meeting held on Monday decided to hold an intensive cleaning drive in all wards of all local bodies of the district before next new moon day, as Ernakulam continues to witness high number of dengue cases in the state. “It has been decided to conduct an emergency meeting at municipal/panchayat level and later at ward levels to identify cleaning to be done on a war footing. People from all walks of life, including students, Kudumbashree workers and traders, will be part of the drive. Permission has been given to spend Rs 50,000 per ward for cleaning works. Medical authorities in respective areas will be in charge,” said district panchayat president Manoj Moothedath.