Hyderabad witnesses rise in seasonal diseases with the monsoons: Preventive measures you can follow

Health risks of stagnant water: Cleaning drains, removing garbage, and basic hygiene measures go a long way in safeguarding your health. It significantly brings down the chances of mosquito breeding and vector-borne diseases (Image: Pexels)

The ongoing monsoon season has led to an increase in the number of patients visiting government and private hospitals with patients. Many are reporting viral fevers and vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. Even water-borne diseases like typhoid have been reported since June.

An advisory has been issued, cautioning people to take all necessary preventive and control measures at home to keep themselves from falling sick during the rainy season.

The Director of Public Health (DPH), Dr Ravindra Nayak, issued an advisory urging people to take precautions. He said, “This is the season of water-borne diseases like gastroenteritis, typhoid and jaundice, as people frequently come in contact with stale food and contaminated water. Households must also strive to prevent mosquito breeding to curtail dengue and chikungunya.”

Also read | Monsoon diseases: 7 expert-recommended tips to protect children from seasonal illnesses

Here are some preventive measures to follow to avoid falling sick amid the inclement weather:

• Avoid Stagnant Water Near Your Surroundings: Make sure there’s no stagnant water in pots, drains, buckets, or water coolers. Ensure there are no sources for mosquitoes to breed.

• Use Mosquito Repellents: Mosquito repellents such as coils, oils, and sprays are some ways you can keep yourself safe at home and outside, as they help keep mosquitoes at bay.

• Use Mosquito Mesh: This is effective while you are asleep at night when the disease-carriers are active. Sleeping under mosquito meshes reduces the chances of getting bitten.

• Ensure Cleanliness: Cleaning drains, removing garbage, and basic hygiene measures go a long way in safeguarding your health. It significantly brings down the chances of mosquito breeding and vector-borne diseases.

• Wear Full Sleeves Clothes: One of the easiest way to prevent being bitten is by staying fully clothed during the season, especially in the early mornings and late nights when disease-carrying mosquitoes are most active.

• Use Insecticides: Insecticides help eliminate mosquitoes hidden in dingy corners, under furniture, and inside shelves. Spraying them further ensures you are safe from mosquitoes that are not in sight.

• Boost Immunity with Proper Nutrition: Eating foods rich in immunity-boosting vitamins and minerals will help your body fight infections better.