Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Apr 4: Mercury is at its highest since a month throughout Karnataka. Fever, head ache and eye related illnesses are on the rise in various districts.

Temperature from 19.5 degrees Celsius to maximum 40.18 degrees Celsius is recorded. Colitis, dehydration, dysentery, eye inflammation, chicken pox, migraine, typhoid, head aches due to sunshine, sun stroke, bleeding from nose and skin related illnesses are on the rise due to increasing temperature.

The health department has issued circulars to all government hospitals to take necessary precautions as illnesses due to rising heat are increasing.

Last year, 1.35 lac people in Karnataka suffered from colitis, while 47,317 were affected with fever. Viral hepatitis was reported in 3917 people. As the heat increases, chances of spreading of malaria, fever, vomiting, cholera, dengue and chicken gunya are more.

If endemics like colitis, cholera and Jaundice occur, a temporary treatment centre is opened in respective village and a rapid response team is sent to the affected area. Till the endemic comes under complete control, 24 hours monitoring and shifting of critical patients to district and taluk hospitals via ambulance is done. The survey work to prevent spreading of endemics is done even after 10 days of bringing the same under control.

As water drains out of the body in the form of sweat, hydration in the body reduces. Along with plenty of water people are advised to consume fruit juices and liquids that enhance strength in body. Cotton dresses should be worn while going out in Sun. Sunglasses and umbrella should be used to prevent sun stroke.

The health department has instructed all government hospitals to keep sufficient stock of life-saving medicines and pesticides to kill insects. The hospitals are advised to buy additional medicines, if needed from State drug and logistics warehouse society. ASHA workers and health assistants are instructed to keep sufficient stock of ORS and Halazone tablets to prevent dehydration and waterborne diseases.