The Times of India          30.11.2013

GVMC medical camps identify malaria, dengue cases in Visakhapatnam

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has identified a total of seven malaria cases and one case of dengue in the city during its month-long medical camps conducted at various suspected areas in the city since the beginning of this month till Friday.

Confirming this, GVMC public health department senior medical officer Dr T Srinivas said that they had collected blood smears of 526 people suffering from fever at their medical camps in 23 locations in the city so far this month. "After conducting the requisite tests on these samples, we have identified seven malaria and one dengue positive cases. The three people were administered immediate medical care and are normal now," Srinivas added. A total of 4,592 people, including the 526 fever patients, attended the medical camps and got their health status checked at the camps free of cost, he added.

GVMC also conducted anti-larval operations, fogging and spraying operations in the areas where the three cases were reported. While two malaria cases each were reported from Arilova and Pedajalaripeta areas of the city, one case each was reported from Kobbarithota, Old Venkojipalem and Upper Relli Veedhi each. The sole dengue case was reported from Malkapuram. "Unfortunately, a two-year-old girl was found to be suffering from dengue. She was given immediate treatment in a special ward at KGH, where she is recovering," Srinivas added.

While the medical camps were completed, GVMC officials said they would continue their door-to-door programme of identifying fever cases in the city. "We have spent nearly Rs 5 to 6 lakh on the medical camps and supply of drugs to the victims," Srinivas said.

GVMC conducted the medical camps after several fever cases were reported in the wake of incessant rains as well as Cyclone Phailin in October. The medical camps were conducted at Arilova, Durga Nagar, N1K1 Area, Marikavalasa, Peda Jalaripeta, Fishermen's Colony, Old Venkojipalem, Rajendranagar, Chilakapeta, Upper Relli Veedhi, Kobbaritotha, Nerella Koneru, Sebastian Colony, Dayanandnagar, Kailasapuram, Malkapuram, Sriharipuram Ex-servicemen Colony, Yellapuvanipalem, Indiranagar and Vasavanipalem.