Kerala is shivering with fever
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If in the previous years fever spread in the state with the onset of monsoon, this time Kerala has fallen into the fever bed even before that. Children who go to school laughing and playing come back in the evening with a fever. Many working families are unable to leave their homes due to fever and their income has been cut off. The number of patients is rising alarmingly. On Tuesday alone, more than 13,000 people sought treatment for viral fever in various districts. This month, the number of people who sought treatment for fever in government hospitals alone will be more than one and a half lakh. If we include those seeking treatment from small-scale private clinics to private medical colleges, the cases will more than double. Fever deaths were also reported. More than 20 people have already lost their lives to dengue and more than 10 to rat fever this season, according to official figures. There are other unaccounted deaths with similar symptoms. Among the dead are children and young people. The number of viral fever patients in the Malappuram district, dengue patients in Ernakulam, and rabies patients in Pathanamthitta are rising sharply. Malaria and typhoid cases have also been reported in the state. The higher number of dengue cases compared to previous years is a warning that Ernakulam is the worst affected by the garbage problem. It means that the government and the people should be extremely vigilant.
With the rains, the spread of fever is certain. Along with it, other diseases including diarrhea will also spread. So it is high time to take precautions. Indications are that the failure of local bodies in pre-monsoon sanitation and waste disposal is the reason for the spread of epidemics in the beginning. The government has directed to open special wards and ICUs in hospitals including medical colleges for the treatment of critically ill patients and to ensure the availability of safety equipment and test kits. The increasing number of dengue cases may also create a shortage of ICUs, ventilators, and systems. The health department employees themselves point out that there is already a shortage of ventilators and platelets in blood banks. They also warn that things will get out of hand if they are not approached cautiously as done during the Covid era. Currently, most medical colleges are proceeding with 20 to 30 percent more patients than their current capacity.
The government needs to ensure preventive drugs, awareness, special attention, and care in the areas of dengue fever and rat fever, inpatient treatment including in primary treatment centers, appointments, and deployment of necessary doctors and staff, etc. Kerala should give priority in the coming days to contain the fever. Not even a single fever patient should be allowed to die due to lack of treatment. Mobile clinics can also be considered to ensure medical care in rural areas. People also need to be alert to face the situation. In the case of waste disposal, care must be taken to avoid breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Early treatment is important and no one should self-medicate. Treatment should be sought in hospitals as soon as symptoms are noticed. Guidelines should be followed. Kerala can overcome this situation only if the state faces it unitedly as done during the Covid waves.