Health warning: Doctors warn against monsoon-related illnesses

With rain, comes risk of malaria, dengue fever, hepatitis, typhoid and measles

ISLAMABAD: Doctors have issued a public warning, to adopt preventive measures to reduce the chances of contracting mosquito and fly-borne illnesses during the monsoon season.

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon Dr SM Qaisar Sajjad warned that lack of cleanliness, stagnant water, choked gutters and garbage heaps were major causes behind the spread of insect-borne diseases during the season.

He further elaborated that delay in the cleaning of lakes, ponds and nullahs, where mosquitoes commonly bred, and neglect in conduction of spraying operations, were the main reason for the outbreak of dengue fever during the season.

The Health Department has issued continuous warnings, asking citizens not to let water accumulate in and around their houses, in order to reduce the presence of mosquitoes, which are the source spread of dengue virus and malaria.

“Make drinking water safe by boiling it, or just stick to bottled mineral water to protect yourself against water-borne diseases,” said Dr Hassan, a physician.

He also cautioned that the only way to avoid contracting dengue fever was to avoid getting bitten.

“Wear full-sleeved clothes, use nets and repellents, while sleeping and maintain a nutritious diet,” Dr Hassan added.

According to doctors, water-logging on roads are an open invitation to water-borne diseases, and corrective measures should be taken to eradicate this risk.

“While rain makes for pleasant weather, it also gives rise to allergies. It is suggested that people remain indoors and avoid getting drenched in the rainy season,” shared chest specialist, Dr Rao Haider.

He warned that the number of gastro, hepatitis A and E, typhoid and measles cases also surge during monsoon due to unhygienic conditions and house flies.

Vulnerable to floods

Authorities have declared low-lying areas along Soan and Korang rivers vulnerable to floods as the Met Office forecast heavy rains in most parts of Punjab, Islamabad and Kashmir this week.

An advisory issued by Islamabad deputy commissioner on Monday said that katchi abadis situated along nullahs and streams in sectors F-7, G-6, G-7, G-8, H-9 and I-9 were also being considered vulnerable to floods.

It said that excess water discharged from Rawal and Simly dams posed danger of high flooding in low-lying areas along the two rivers. The advisory further said that services like water supply, sewerage, power supply, communication and agriculture system could also be affected in these areas and advised all the departments to remain alert and prepared to cope with any emergency.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Rabia Aurangzeb will carry out the announcements in rural areas through the revenue staff if needed, it stated.

Three flood control centres have also been set up at Tarlai, Bhara Kahu and Sihala union councils .

RCB inspects houses

Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has inspected 1,440 houses and educated citizens about importance of sanitation, cleanliness and preventive measures under an anti-dengue drive.

Lady health workers during door-to-door campaign visited houses in Saddar, Quaid-i-Azam Colony, Bakra Mandi, Misrial Road, Chur Chowk, Peshawar Road, Dhoke Banaras, Qadria Colony and Dariyabad areas and educated the community particularly women about preventive measures against the disease.

Main focus of the campaign was public health education, an RCB spokesperson said.

The sanitary staff has been directed to ensure timely cleanliness and proper solid waste disposal in all areas, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2016.