Public Health Officials Urge Precautions as Mask Usage Rises Again

Hyderabad: With a noticeable rise in upper respiratory tract infections, including influenza, viral fevers, and pneumonia, doctors and healthcare staff in Hyderabad have resumed wearing face masks in hospitals. They are also advising patients and their attendants to do the same.

Although the current wave of viral fevers is not as severe as the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic when masks were mandatory, many individuals have started wearing masks again as a precautionary measure to prevent airborne transmission.

In response to the situation, the Directorate of Public Health (DPH), Telangana, has issued guidelines urging the public to protect themselves from airborne infections like viral fevers, conjunctivitis, and influenza by adhering to proper cough etiquette.

Precautions for Airborne Infections:

• Avoid shaking hands and sharing food, water, or clothes with infected individuals.
• Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizers often.
• Minimize hand contamination by avoiding contact with door handles, tabletops, and lift buttons.
• Cover your mouth while sneezing or coughing.
• Use disposable tissues if you have a cough or cold.
• If a fever persists for more than two or three days, consult a general physician.

“Silent Threat: Mosquitoes on the Rise Amidst Hyderabad’s Dengue Surge”

Hyderabad: The city of Hyderabad is currently facing a severe health crisis as the number of dengue and viral fever cases has surged dramatically over the past few weeks.

A steady influx of patients with symptoms typical of viral fevers and dengue has been recorded across private nursing homes, clinics, and major government hospitals, including Fever Hospital, Gandhi Hospital, and Osmania General Hospital (OGH). The outpatient departments (OPDs) of these hospitals are seeing an overwhelming number of patients, with Gandhi Hospital and OGH each managing between 1,500 and 2,000 patient visits per day. The Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) is also reporting nearly 650 daily OPD visits.

Fever Hospital has witnessed a sharp increase in patient visits, with OPD numbers rising from an average of 600 to 850 patients per day in the past few weeks. This spike is attributed to the growing number of dengue and viral fever cases in the region.

Recent data highlights the severity of the situation: between June and August, Telangana reported a total of 4,395 confirmed dengue cases, with 85% to 90% of these cases coming from Hyderabad alone. In August, Hyderabad reported 1,751 dengue cases, while the neighboring districts of Rangareddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri recorded 310 and 399 cases, respectively. Alarmingly, at least five deaths have been linked to dengue.

With more rainfall expected, Dr. B Ravinder Naik, Director of Public Health, issued a public warning on Wednesday, urging residents to take preventive measures seriously to curb the spread of the disease.

Former Health Minister T Harish Rao criticized the State government on social media platform X, pointing out that they had warned of such a crisis a month ago. He emphasized the need for the timely release of funds to conduct preventive measures across all districts, stressing that the impact of seasonal diseases can only be minimized by taking proactive steps before the monsoon season begins.

Dengue Cases in 2024:

• January-April: 678 cases
• May: 113 cases
• June: 1,078 cases
• July: 1,461 cases
• August: 1,856 cases

Hyderabad was hit by sudden, heavy rains early today, causing widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions across the city. Tragically, a man in his mid-40s was swept away while attempting to cross a flooded road. His body was later found in the Ramnagar area, according to local police. The Hyderabad Traffic Department has issued alerts, advising commuters to avoid waterlogged roads and take alternate routes.

The Telangana daily weather report, issued at 8:30 am, indicated that several areas experienced very heavy rainfall. Yadadri Bhuvanagiri was the worst hit, with Yadagirigutta recording the highest rainfall at 17 cm, followed by Maddur in Narayanpet district, which received 14 cm. Other districts, including Medchal Malkajgiri, Wanaparthy, Hanumakonda, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, and Rangareddy, also recorded significant rainfall.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Met Centre in Hyderabad has forecast more heavy rain at isolated places in several districts of Telangana until 8:30 am on August 21. Districts under alert include Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, and Narayanpet. The IMD has also warned of potential thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) in some areas.

In Hyderabad, the rains have caused severe waterlogging in multiple areas, including between Dabeerpura Darwaza and Dabeerpura Bridge, where traffic has slowed significantly. The Mirchowk Traffic Police, along with the Disaster Response Force (DRF), are actively working to clear the water and manage traffic flow. Similar situations have been reported near the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) area and Asif Nagar, where DRF teams are on the ground.

Traffic congestion has also been reported at Malakpet Gunj towards Reliance Digital, Nalgonda X Road, and Chaderghat X Road due to the heavy rains. Additionally, ongoing construction of the Amberpet Flyover has led to traffic diversions from 6 No Junction to Golnaka Junction on NH-163. Commuters are advised to be aware of these diversions and plan their routes accordingly.

The forecast for Hyderabad over the next week predicts generally cloudy skies with intermittent rain or thundershowers. Temperatures are expected to range between 22°C and 33°C, with the heaviest rainfall likely on August 24 and 25.

A cyclonic circulation over Rayalaseema and a trough extending from the Arabian Sea to the Comorin area are contributing to these weather conditions. As a result, Telangana, along with parts of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, is expected to experience widespread light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in some areas.