THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Veena George has said that the mosquito source destruction activities should be intensified since the intermittent rains in the state will lead to the spread of dengue fever. Houses, institutions and premises should be kept clean. It was assessed earlier that there is a possibility of dengue spreading in the month of July. According to this, a meeting was held under the leadership of the Ministers of Health, Local Self-Government, Revenue and Education and the activities were strengthened. The minister also stated that the director of the health department has been instructed to intensify the activities against dengue fever since the continuous rains have turned into intermittent rains.

Special attention should be paid to drinking water, sanitation, consuming doxycycline and mosquito control to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in relief camps. Rat fever prevention is also important due to waterlogging and the possibility of overflowing drains etc. Workers, dairy farmers, volunteers and rescue workers should take note. Media workers who come to report floods and rain events should also be careful. Doxycycline, an anti-rat fever pill, should be taken in case of contact with a potentially contaminated water source or body of water, or with animal excreta.

Do not work on soil or water without gloves and socks. General public should also use safe footwear during rainy season. People with wounds on their limbs should avoid contact with sewage under any circumstances. Only boiled water should be consumed as unclean water may cause diarrhea. All wells used for drinking water should be disinfected with a bleaching powder solution.

Care must be taken to prevent the spread of influenza virus. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with other illnesses are better off wearing masks. Do not send children to school when they have a fever. Staying out of the general public during times of fever, even for adults, can help reduce transmission. If one gets a fever, they should seek treatment at the hospital without treating themselves.