The Hindu : Kerala / Kozhikode News : Viral fever more severe this year: DMO

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Friday, Jul 13, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Kozhikode

Viral fever more severe this year: DMO

Staff Reporter

Services of doctors in private hospitals to be utilised
2,457 fever cases reported in the district

KOZHIKODE: The cases of viral fever reported in the district during this monsoon was peculiar in that the symptoms of the infection manifested in more aggressive forms, K. Damodaran, District Medical Officer, has said.

Dr. Damodaran said that the viral infection now prevalent was airborne and spread through droplets, personal contact, sneezing and the like. It was not spread through mosquitoes.

“The severity was more in the viral fever cases reported during the season. The symptoms manifested were more severe. The infection spread fast too. Patients suffered, especially those in the younger age group, from severe body ache, headache and vomiting,” he said.

Patients felt weakness in the body and convalescing took a longer time. The peculiarity was that the symptoms were difficult to distinguish from dengue or chikungunya.

A total of 2,457 fever cases were reported from various parts of the district on Thursday. DMO sources said the public had to be vigilant and ensure that mosquito breeding sources in the vicinity of households were destroyed.

The active cooperation of the public was sought in cleanliness drives.

Services of doctors from private hospitals will be made available to deal with the cases of fever in the district. The services of these doctors will be made available through the Indian Medical Association on request from the public health centres in rural areas and other Government hospitals, sources said.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the National Rural Health Mission presided over by Collector A. Jayathilak. Owners of private hospitals and doctors attended the meeting. Baburaj, Director, NRHM, will coordinate the activities.

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