Steps taken to check diseases, says minister

Health Department was takingnecessary steps to check the spread of communicable diseases in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader said here today.
People need not panic over reports of malaria and dengue as the department had initiated measures for disease control. Rapid action teams had been formed and nodal offiers appointed in all taluks in the district to monitor the teams, he told reporters.
Action would be taken against officials, doctors and nurses if any lapse was found on their part in providing treatment to patients with communicable diseases, he said.
Khader said four deaths had been so far reported from the district due to dengue and malaria. In all the cases, the patients were admitted to the hospitals only after their condition worsened, he said, adding, fever should not be ignored and early treatment was required.

The minister said Dakshina Kannad district, situated on a river bank and which received heavy rains, was prone to diseases like dengue and malaria unless proper measures were taken by people to see that their living surroundings were clean.
The Health department had also issued directions to the urban development authorities, corporations and panchayats to ensure cleanliness in their areas. Fogging machines were being used in different places and special teams had been formed for this.
He said protocol had been issued to doctors through Indian Medical Association to see that all patients with communicable diseases were provided proper treatment.