Spurt in dengue and typhoid cases in Secunderabad Cantonment, daily count exceeds 400 in area hospital

SECUNDERABAD: While sporadic cases of typhoid have been reported from Hyderabad in the last two weeks, Secunderabad Cantonment has been witnessing a spurt in cases of viral fever, dengue and typhoid.
Residents are worried that the situation could spiral out of control as some of the areas like Picket, Trimulgherry and Bowenpally are dotted with slums where there is nothing much to talk about as far as sanitation is concerned.

Senior medical and health officials confirmed that the outpatient ward is witnessing a lot of cases of viral fever and dengue. “Incidence of these diseases is on the rise. We are seeing a daily count of 250-300 patients. Sometimes, the count is crossing 400 at the area hospital,” Dr Manju Rani, medical superintendent of Cantonment-run dispensaries and hospitals. She said the Cantonment dispensaries receive 50-70 cases viral fever, typhoid and dengue a day.
Apart from increased incidence of typhoid which essentially happens due to contamination of drinking water cases, officials said several households have at least one patient suffering from either viral fever or dengue. “Since we stay in the close vicinity of slums, we have to put up with poor sanitation. During rains, garbage is strewn all around and open nalas overflow. It’s a perfect recipe for a health disaster,” said Sai Reddy, a resident of Vijay Nagar Colony, Picket.
Thanks to the spurt in the cases, dispensaries, the area hospital in Bolarum and private clinics are witnessing a huge rush. Residents, however, complain that Cantonment-run dispensaries close by 3-4 pm and are compelled to approach private clinics.
“My daughter developed fever in the evening and since the dispensary closes by 4 pm, we had to go to a small clinic. I cannot afford a hospital consultation but then I realised all the clinics have a long waiting time as there is a huge rush,” Mohammed Aziz from Bowenpally slum said. He urged the Cantonment authorities to keep the dispensaries open till late in the evening.