Amid pandemic, Kozhikode battling other infectious diseases too

Dengue, leptospirosis, shigella cases being reported from district

The public health apparatus in Kozhikode district is battling a clutch of other infectious diseases even while struggling to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Health Department, 37 suspected dengue fever cases and a death were reported in the district this month, along with leptospirosis, Hepatitis ‘A’ , ‘B’ and ‘C’, and shigella infection. District Medical Officer V. Jayasree has urged the people to observe May 16, Sunday, as ‘source eradication’ day to drive home the message of destruction of the sources of dengue fever. It is to mark National Dengue Fever Day. Dr. Jayasree said that the outbreak of other infectious diseases at the time of a pandemic would lead to increase in deaths. Health Department officials called for steps to identify places where stagnated water was found and reduce the possibility of breeding of mosquitoes. Department sources said that 13 of the dengue fever cases were reported from Maniyoor alone.