Following heavy rain, Haryana may witness spike in vector-borne diseases

Heavy to extremely heavy rain in most districts of Haryana has disrupted the lives of residents, triggering flood-like situations in the state and causing large-scale water logging. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), there is a possibility of rain in the upcoming days as well which is most likely to give rise to several other problems—there are worries that the water logging situation may lead to vector and water-borne diseases, adding to the woes of the state’s Health Department.
A mosquito problem has also arisen due to stagnant water in many places, leading to worries that the state might face the danger of mosquito-borne dengue and malaria. So far the number of reported dengue cases is less than last year. The Health Department has issued orders to ensure necessary steps and arrangements in this regard, but the situation is being treated with seriousness. The Additional Director General of Health Services has issued an advisory regarding ensuring the availability of essential medicines, consumables, and logistics items due to the current weather. The advisory states “Keeping in view the current situation, it is important to initiate requisite mitigation measures. So, residents are directed to ensure the availability of essential medicines, consumables (as per Essential Drug List) such as Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), IV fluids & Syringes, Zinc Tablet, Chlorine Tablets, Antibiotics, Antidiarrheal Medications, Analgesics, Anti-Rabies Vaccine, Anti-Snake Venom, Anti-Fungal etc. in our health facilities.”
Further, the advisory states that the immediate delivery of available stock of essential medicines and consumables from warehouses be ensured. Apart from the aforesaid, necessary logistics/items should also be available and all the lifesaving and life-support equipment should be fully functional. All Civil Surgeons have been ordered to comply with the orders. According to Rakesh Saini, Deputy Director, Health Department, the list of water-borne diseases includes diarrhoea, black jaundice and malaria—these diseases may witness a surge in the upcoming days. Further, he said that people should be made aware of the use of drinking boiled water. Notably, so far this year, as many as 72 cases of dengue have been reported in Haryana. Jind has the maximum number of cases with as many as 37 cases. In such a situation, a spurt in fresh cases of snake bites has also come to the fore in different districts of the state.