Waterborne diseases spike, 630 cases in March: Health Department of AMC

As many as 639 cases of waterborne diseases have been reported till March 17, according to the Health Department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The information was revealed in a press note issued by the civic body on Monday.

The data indicates that 37 people were victims of waterborne diseases per day in the first half of the month. According to the civic body, out of the total number of cases, 388 people are reported to be detected with gastroenteritis, 100 with jaundice and 151 with typhoid.

"Gastroenteritis is mainly caused by consumption of polluted water and food kept in unhygienic conditions," said Dr Tejas Shah, Deputy Health Officer, South Zone, AMC. "During this time, people should consume boiled water and freshly prepared food, and avoid outside food. There is no need for panic as the cases were reported from different areas and not from a single pocket. Most cases were reported from Behrampuar, Gomtipur, Sarkhej and Maktampura." He said the civic body had collected water samples and sent them to a laboratory for testing.

Moreover, 66 cases of vector-borne disease have been reported during the same period, out of which 51 cases are of malaria while ten cases of dengue were also recorded. Five cases of falciparum hav been reported during the period. The AMC has used 23,000 kg of insecticides on city streets for vector control till Saturday.

"Generally, the vector-borne diseases are largely found post monsoon, but still we carry on the anti-larval activity round the year. This includes, checking construction sites and possible vector-breeding sites," said Dr Bhavin Solanki, medical officer in charge of health, AMC.

REPORT CARD

66 cases of vector-borne disease have been reported till March 17, out of which 51 cases are of malaria while ten cases of dengue were also recorded.