Nizamabad:With the onset of the monsoon, viral fevers, particularly dengue, have spiked across Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts, alarming residents. Both rural and urban areas have reported a sharp rise in cases, sending patients to government and private hospitals for treatment.
Heavy rain, stagnant drainage water and uncovered containers have created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, especially in municipal towns. All age groups are being affected. Official figures show that Nizamabad registered 25 dengue cases in June and another 15 up to 8 July.
Families are spending large sums at private hospitals, where some doctors cite falling platelet counts to justify steep bills. Fearing complications, many patients are also travelling to hospitals in Hyderabad.
Dengue cases have been reported at the Mosra, Mudakpally, Sirikonda and Pothangal primary health centres, as well as at urban health centres in Sitaramnagar, Arsapally and Chandrasekhar Colony in Nizamabad city. Last year, 704 dengue cases were recorded in the district; unofficial estimates suggest about 128 people are currently infected. Private hospitals have set up special wards, and lab technician Vinod Reddy warned that the caseload may rise, noting that Nirmal and Bhainsa areas usually report higher numbers.
District malaria officer Tukaram Rathod said the larval index shows increased mosquito density. “We conduct regular field surveys to monitor breeding sites,” he said, urging the public to adopt preventive measures. He added that medicines for dengue treatment are in adequate supply.
Deccan Chronicle sought comment from district medical and health officer B. Rajashri but received no response. Residents have appealed to district collectors to tackle the surge in viral fevers and asked gram panchayats and municipal officials to clean drains and stormwater channels promptly.
