Mysuru: With the temperature levels rising, district health authorities have initiated a special drive to educate the masses, and take preventive steps against the spread of seasonal diseases this summer.The district health authorities sounded an alert to 1,355 health, sanitation and nutrition committees constituted under rural health mission to initiate measures to curb seasonal diseases like influenza, chicken pox and food and vector-borne diseases like hepatitis A and typhoid. The committee members are advising villagers to drink boiled water and maintain cleanliness in their surroundings.These committees are headed by local gram panchayat staff involving panchayat development officers, GP secretary, PHC medical officers, accredited social health activists in all 275 GP limits of the district. Most diseases like typhoid, jaundice, and diarrhoea spread through contaminated water due to damaged drinking water supply lines and other lapses in the water distribution. The committees headed by GP staff are tasked with regularly checking the quality of water. The committee members were also asked to regularly monitor water quality and to repair water pipelines and overhead tanks.The committee members were also told to clean the borewells and water pipes, and must keep overhead tanks clean to ensure safe drinking water to villagers to avoid diseases during this summer.Directions were also given to the panchayat staff to monitor roadside stalls selling cut fruits, in their limits to avoid the spread of diseases in all 275 GPs limits of Mysuru district.Large crowds during jathra and other festivals also lead to the spread of various water-borne, food-borne, and vector-borne diseases during summer. Committee members were also instructed to keep constant vigil on such celebrations in their limits.Apart from these measures, the district health authorities have also reserved two beds in all PHCs and five beds in taluk health hospitals to deal with emergencies during this summer.The district health authorities have also stocked enough ORS to combat dehydration, heat exhaustion, and waterborne illnesses in all PHCs, sub centres, and community hospitals across the district.Speaking to TOI, district health officer Dr PC Kumaraswamy said that apart from these measures, the district health authorities have also given directions to all ASHA workers to take up a door-to-door awareness drive, and educate the masses to take preventive steps to avoid diseases during summer.It also asked committee members to conduct a mock drill of sensitising villagers regarding taking preventive health measures, he said.
