Top News

Hyderabad: The India Meteorological Department, Hyderabad, has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Telangana for the next week, as well as heavy rainfall alerts in parts of the state.

The weather pattern is expected to bring lower temperatures and higher humidity, which could potentially trigger a rise in already viral seasonal illnesses, including malaria and dengue.

To guard against such diseases, the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Dr B Ravinder Nayak, has shared a list of tips to stay healthy during the rainy season.

Tackling mosquito menace

With the onset of heavy monsoon rains, mosquito infestation is expected. To tackle the surge, Director Nayak has reminded citizens of key preventive measures to protect themselves and stop breeding in their surroundings.

Doors and windows should be kept closed or fitted with mesh screens, while beds and cribs should also be covered with mosquito netting.

The Director emphasised the need to maintain domestic drains to prevent water stagnation and suggested residents cover domestic septic tanks with mesh to prevent mosquito breeding.

Observing Friday as Dry Day was advised, on which citizens can get rid of stagnant water around the house.

Prevention of water-borne infections

A few measures to prevent water-borne infections like acute gastroenteritis, jaundice, and typhoid include drinking filtered or boiled water while maintaining clean hands by washing up before and after meals.

A key way to prevent these illnesses is to avoid eating unhygienic or stale food. Heavy monsoon rains and leftover food waste create ideal conditions for disease-spreading mosquitoes to breed.

How to guard against viral fevers

Avoiding handshakes when sick or near someone who is ill, using hand sanitizer regularly, and covering coughs or sneezes with a handkerchief or napkin are simple, effective ways to prevent airborne infections like viral fevers and influenza.

The public health department has advised citizens to immediately go for a routine check at the hospital if they develop flu-like symptoms, including a cough with fever, headache, sore throat, and body pains.

With the monsoon in full swing, the state government has made arrangements in state-owned public health facilities by providing special beds, IV fluids, and essential medicines.

The Director added that medicines and Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) sachets are available with ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives), ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), or Anganwadi workers to deal with any exigencies.