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Health Alert: Andhra Pradesh Battles Rising Disease Outbreaks
13 Sep
Summary
- Andhra Pradesh faces a sharp rise in malaria, dengue, and scrub typhus cases.
- Malaria cases increased by 27.9% with specific districts affected.
- Food-borne illnesses saw a significant jump in Srikakulam.
Andhra Pradesh is enhancing its focus on disease surveillance and preventive strategies to combat a significant increase in malaria, dengue, scrub typhus, and water/food-borne illnesses. Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has mandated officials to identify areas with rising case numbers.
Intensified efforts include indoor residual spraying, mosquito net distribution, and the removal of breeding sites, with a special emphasis on malaria-prone tribal areas. Measures to control dengue outbreaks are also being strengthened in affected locations.
As of August 30, malaria cases in Andhra Pradesh rose by 27.9% year-on-year to 7,895, primarily in Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram, and Vizianagaram districts. Dengue cases saw a 4.6% increase to 1,475, while scrub typhus reached 941 cases.
Srikakulam district reported a dramatic rise in food-borne illnesses, with cases jumping from 34 to 408 this year. A 'Dry Day' initiative every Friday is being implemented to eliminate stagnant water and mosquito breeding grounds.
