The Hindu : National : U.P. reeling under water-borne diseases

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Wednesday, Sep 03, 2008
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U.P. reeling under water-borne diseases

Atiq Khan

LUCKNOW: With at least two dozen districts of Uttar Pradesh reeling under the impact of rain-related diseases, the worst may not yet be over for them, despite the decline in floods and a respite from the prolonged spell of monsoon.

Over 400 people have died of viral fever, malaria, diarrhoea, encephalitis, gastro-enteritis and measles. With runoff of water receding following a lull in rainfall, a fresh outbreak of water and vector-borne diseases has not been ruled out.

According to health officials, there is a likelihood of a 25 per cent increase in the cases of viral fever and malaria, as also the dreaded encephalitis.

“As the run off of rain and flood waters would be reduced to a considerable extent, the density of mosquitoes and viruses would increase in the stagnant water,” said R.R. Bharti, Director of Vector-Borne Diseases in the State Medical and Health Directorate here.

This year, the maximum casualties are caused by diarrhoea and encephalitis, with diarrhoea accounting for 120 deaths and encephalitis 185. The 10,391 diarrhoea cases and deaths in 2008 (figures updated till September 2, 2008) have outstripped the 10,287 cases reported in 2007 and the 55 deaths caused by the disease.

The Director-General, Medical and Health Services, Uttar Pradesh, I.S. Srivastava said 115 fresh cases of diarrhoea were reported on Tuesday, with no casualties. Of the 24 new cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), four victims died, Dr. Srivastava said.

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