Infectious diseases, including dengue, respiratory illnesses and water-borne diseases like shigellosis are set to increase in the State in the coming weeks. Thiruvananthapuram, which has always had the dubious distinction as the State’s dengue capital, would likely see cases spiralling, it was pointed out at a review meeting of various district health administrations and district collectors, chaired by the Health Minister K. Muraleedharan, here on Wednesday.

Dengue cases have doubled in the State from Tuesday with 105 cases being reported from across the State on Wednesday. Ernakulam reported 32 cases, followed by Thiuruvananthapuram and Kollam reporting 18 and 19 cases respectively. Two probable dengue deaths were also reported from Palakkad on Wednesday. The State has so far reported 3,497 confirmed and over 10,000 probable dengue cases and 16 dengue deaths this year.

The meeting, which reviewed the preventive measures against infectious diseases in all districts, pointed out that the annual pre-monsoon preventive measures could not take off in full swing in most districts this year because of the Assembly elections and related activities and that this gap is likely to prove costly for the State

The Health department has intensified preventive measures to combat communicable diseases during the monsoon season and it has now released a “Dry Day “ calendar to strengthen source reduction measures against dengue-transmitting mosquitoes

From this week onwards, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be observed as Dry Days. Mr. Muraleedharan directed that Fridays be observed as Dry Days in schools, Saturdays in government offices and other institutions and Sundays be observed as dry day in households.

Food safety officials have been asked to conduct special inspections in schools, to check the safety and hygiene aspects of the mid-day meal preparation areas and to inspect drinking water sources.

District Collectors have been directed to ensure that Dry Day activities are implemented effectively in their respective districts. Health officials will ensure that sanitation activities are being carried out in coordination with local self-government institutions. Health inspectors have been asked to strengthen field-level inspections .

Respiratory infections, including influenza A H1N1, H2N3 and influenza B are circulating across the State and hence all respiratory hygiene measures such as using masks and cough etiquette should be followed.

Children suffering from fever, cough or cold symptoms should not be sent to school. People attending gatherings, including wedding functions, should wear masks if they have any respiratory symptoms. Visitors to hospitals should mandatorily wear masks

Fogging operations would be conducted on days when there is no rainfall. District Collectors will convene weekly review meetings to assess ongoing disease-prevention activities.

The meeting also assessed the increasing detection of malaria among migrant workers coming to work in plantation areas in Idukki as a matter of concern. The district administration informed the meeting that all migrant workers were being systematically screened.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary (Health), Sharmila Mary Joseph, NHM State Mission Director Anu S. Nair, KMSCL Managing Director Renu Raj, Food Safety Commissioner Sreedhanya Suresh, DHS V. Meenakshi, Director of Medical Education K. V. Viswanathan, and other senior officials.