With heat,typhoid cases on rise

Doctors say typhoid,which has a 21-day cycle of fever followed by loss of appetite and fatigue,is normally a monsoon and post-monsoon phenomena. But the dry summers and sudden rise in temperature has led to 20-30 cases being reported daily.

The health authorities say “there is nothing alarming as of now”,but doctors notice a definite shift in water-borne diseases like typhoid and diarrhoea.

“Due to the sudden rise in temperature,typhoid has arrived unusually early. We examine around 30 patients,mostly children,every day. Two-three children from them are also admitted,as they show severe symptoms,” Dr Sadbhavna Pandit,Head,Department of Paediatrics,GMSH-16,said.

In the last two days,around 20 children suffering from typhoid and diarrhea have visited the hospital.

In 2007,499 cases of typhoid were reported in Chandigarh. This number rose to 1,006 in 2008. The following year,850 cases of typhoid were reported.

Doctors say diarrhoea cases are also being reported.

“Cases are pouring in large numbers. The change in the disease pattern was witnessed last year due to a near dry monsoon season. This had led to shifting of water-borne diseases and vector-borne diseases like dengue,whose cases had dropped sharply last year,” H C Gera,Nodal Officer for integrated disease surveillance programme,said.

Doctors say people living in the periphery,especially in some areas of Panchkula,Rajiv Colony and Pinjore,seem to be more affected by the disease,followed by those living in slums and villages in Chandigarh.

Symptoms
Fever which lasts 21 daysLoss of appetite
Fatigue y Children are most vulnerable

y Check the water you consume