Kerala   

Nilambur in fever grip

Abdul Latheef Naha

60-odd chikungunya cases confirmed in taluk

MALAPPURAM: The district, particularly the forest areas of Nilambur, Karulayi and Kalikavu, is reeling under viral fever attack. The confirmation of 60-odd cases of chikungunya in Nilambur has left the people here alarmed. Though the authorities try to quell their fears with statements like “there is nothing to panic,” the situation in the eastern parts of the district is far from satisfactory. People have been queuing up before hospitals for treatment for fever.

“The threat is real,” said K.T. Manoj Kumar, physician at People’s Hospital, Pookottumpadam, one of the worst-hit areas near Nilambur. He handles about 300 cases a day at his out-patient (OP) unit. Doctors at Government as well as private hospitals in and around Nilambur are struggling to cope with the increasing number of patients.

Official figures released on Friday said that 1,13,529 patients in the district had sought treatment for fever this year till July 7. About 3,000 patients approach clinics every day, more than half of them in Nilambur taluk alone.

As many as 317 patients were treated at Taluk Hospital, Nilambur, on Thursday. Seventeen of them tested positive for chikungunya. N.M. Sebastian, deputy district medical officer and district programme manager for Rural Health Mission, said doctors from Kozhikode Medical College would conduct weekend fever camps in Nilambur, Melattur, Kalikavu and Wandoor.

Dr. Sebastian said the in-patient facilities in Government hospitals in the district were inadequate. Nilambur Taluk Hospital has 140 beds, far too few for the five lakh population the hospital caters to.

Although the Government has offered additional support to the health staff, help is yet to reach Malappuram. However, no fever or chikungunya related death has been reported from the district. Doctors said the number of fever cases was on the rise. Although viral fever is not dangerous, doctors advise complete rest for the patients.

“Without rest, the fever can take a dangerous course,” said Meherban K.A., superintendent at Government Hospital, Wandoor.

Dr. Meherban said there was an unprecedented increase in fever OP largely owing to the monsoon. She handles about 400 to 500 OP cases a day.

According to A.M. Usmankutty, physician at Government Hospital, Malappuram, the increased density of influenza virus, coupled with untidiness caused by the rains, was responsible for the unprecedented number of viral fever cases.

He said there was an increase in the number of hepatitis-A patients along the banks of the Kadalundipuzha. Those who drink water from the Kadalundipuzha have chances of contracting hepatitis-A because of water contamination.

T.M. Aboobacker, chief medical officer of Mooniyoor Nursing Home near Tirurangadi, said there was a 50 per cent increase in fever patients when compared to last year. He said mosquito control would not help as virus could spread through air. In Ponnani, another sensitive area, the situation is better than last year, said Salil V.A., physician at Government Taluk Hospital.

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