Viral fevers rampant in Girijan thandas

Sripathi Srinivas Nizamabad: Viral fevers and water borne diseases have been spreading in 50 Girijan thandas in Nizamabad district for the past couple of months and many died due to fevers at Manala village in recent days. Water levels at reservoirs have come down drastically and drinking water in tanks, ponds and other sources got polluted. The district authorities generally take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of viral diseases. However, cleaning of drinking water sources and other works were not taken up due to non-coordination between the officials of Medical & Health and Rural Water Supply (RWS) departments. As a precautionary measure, the officials have to take up repairs to drinking water pipe leakages and chlorination of water in tanks. They have to prevent leakages to water pipes and take up repairs to bore-wells. But the works were not taken up due to non-coordination among officials, people complained. Manala Village Development Committee (VDC) chairman Ramesh said that in recent days, seven people � Mali (40), Dasari Peddulu (45), Narsavva (50), Dasari Chinnanna (40), Hanmavva (50), Keemyanayak and Gugloth (3) died of viral fevers at Manala Girijan thanda due to viral fevers. RWS technical officer Shyamsundar said that there are 50 problematic villages in the district and the officials have sent proposals to take up works. They have to get funds to the tune of Rs 33 cr under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). Tenders were called to take up 175 works, he said. The officials were facing problems with regard to repairs to bore-wells and transportation of water to problematic villages, Shyamsundar said. District Medical and Health Officer (DM & HO) Dr Harinath said to The Hans India that 45 blood samples were collected from the villagers of Manala thanda who were suffering from various diseases. `` The blood samples indicated the symptoms of typhoid but not of malaria,'' he said. ``A medical team comprising two doctors, 6 para medical staff, two supervisors and others was kept at Manala village for the past one week. The fevers were caused due to water pollution,'' Dr Harinath said. He said that only three people � Narsavva (50), two children Keemyanayak and Gugloth Charan--- of the village died while undergoing treatment at hospital.