Forget COVID; malaria, dengue are giving sleepless nights to people in Telangana

Health officials said the state has seen the rise in the seasonal disease cases in the last few days.

In Hyderabad, around 447 cases of dengue have been reported, while in Khammam 122 cases have been reported. Rangareddy and Medchal Malkajgiri have reported 115 and 89 cases respectively.

"We are witnessing a large number of dengue cases in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) areas. People have to be cautious about mosquito growth," said Dr. G Srinivasa Rao, Director of Public Health.

Similarly, malaria cases have also surged in several rural districts. Bhadradri Kothagudem has reported 220 cases of malaria, while Mulugu, a tribal district, has reported 129 cases.

The GHMC areas have reported only 12 cases. "GHMC areas and Khammam are reporting the highest cases of dengue, while Kothagudem and Mulugu are reporting the maximum number of malaria cases. The number of cases is increasing across districts," said G Srinivas Rao.

GHMC has Breteau Index of 46. Breteau Index tells us the number of positive containers per 100 houses inspected, infested with larvae or pupae of mosquito. Breteau Index in Wanaparthy and Niramal are 44.6 and 41 respectively.

The Director of Public Health said that the person should visit the nearest health center and get tested. "Every fever case cannot be COVID at the moment; it can be viral, dengue or malaria. People should get tested. Medication for COVID 19 and dengue is not the same. Dengue can become severe if not treated accordingly. Sometimes people need hospitalization. Self-medication or taking COVID medicine for dengue and malaria can be fatal," said G Srinivas Rao.