Waterborne diseases on radar, district authorities plans drives in schools

Kolhapur: Officials of the district health department are planning to visit schools from June to create awareness about waterborne diseases and their prevention during the upcoming monsoon.
District health officer R S Adkekar said many villages in the district, which are in high-risk zone of waterborne diseases, will first be identified and then health workers will carry out awareness campaigns there.
He added that due to the flood-like situation, water gets polluted during the monsoon and this causes microbial contamination of drinking water.
Microbial contamination can cause a number of infectious waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and hepatitis as well as gastrointestinal diseases. The contaminants include e-cold and other bacteria, apart from traces of sewage water and other foreign particles.
The official also said that schools are being chosen for the awareness campaigns on waterborne diseases since children can tell their friends and family members about what they learn.
"We have planned a meeting with medical officers this week to discuss this plan, and other possible measures will also be taken in to consideration for keeping diseases under control," he said.
Adkekar added that the department also plans to distribute pamphlets during the campaigns.
"The use of key messages with visual elements will be a priority where the pamphlets are concerned. "The department will be gearing up for the awareness campaign next month since the academic year will begin from June 15," he added.
Meanwhile, Kolhapur city has reported eleven dengue cases in Kasba Bawada area so far while 30 people are suffering from dengue-like symptoms.