News: Deadly diseases re-emerge in AP

Diseases supposedly on the verge of eradication have reared their deadly head in the state. A cholera epidemic in Bholakpur, an anthrax outbreak in Visakhapatnam and the recurrence of polio cases, are the recent reminders that yesterday’s deadly diseases are still in our midst. Official apathy in providing safe drinking water and sanitation, is adding to increased microbial resistance and the spread of mutant strains of bacteria to new geographical areas. Changing temperatures have also lead to the re-emergence of the disease, say experts. Cholera and polio are water-borne diseases, spreading due to contamination of the water with human faecal matter. Anthrax is a zoonotic diseases that spreads from contact with cattle. According to the director (health), Dr D. Ramesh Chandra, as on May 12, 2009, at least three people have died of anthrax in Visakhapatnam, and another 56 have contracted the disease. Most of the deaths occurred in the tribal mandals of Munchingupet and Chintapalli. “The deaths occurred due to cutaneous and intestinal anthrax in Visakhaptnam. Earlier in Chittoor a few cases were reported. Once our teams move out, the tribals dig up the diseased animal that was buried by us, and sell it. People should not consume the meat of diseased cattle. The form of anthrax here is only cutaneous and intestinal, and there is no pulmonary anthrax,” said Ramesh Chandra. Anthrax cases are being reported at the Prakasam district as well. In 2008 there were no cases. Rural and agency areas in districts like Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and Khammam, and urban slums like Bholakpur in the city, are the worst affected by re-emerging diseases. The JNTU Institute of Science and Technology director, Dr M. Laxmi Narasu said, “These diseases haven’t gone anywhere. The outbreaks are caused by factors like faecal matter mixing with drinking water. The government should allocate more funds for water pipeline maintenance.” He adds, “Overuse or abuse of antibiotics has resulted in drug resistance of the causative agents. New strains are emerging. Micro-organisms change their genetic make up as we use newly developed drugs against them.” Cholera is one of the six diseases identified by WHO in the list of re-emerging diseases. “Cholera is endemic to Hyderabad but cases are increasing in the past few years. Vibrio cholera is in a state of constant flux, resulting in the re-emergence and displacement of serotypes inaba and ogawa. In Hyderabad, it was identified as the strain of eltor vibrio,” said the National Institute of Cholera Enteric Diseases deputy director, Dr Dipika Sur. Around 13 deaths of cholera were reported in the city this year. The number of cases increased to 66. According to the Epidemics Cell, around 74 cases were reported in the state in 2007. “In 2008, Hyderabad had the largest number of cholera cases in the state (107 out of 153 cases),” said an official of the Epidemics cell. Over the last two years, polio has also re-surfaced in the coastal districts. On July 16, 2008, a polio case was identified in the state. Joint-director (immunisation), Dr V. Nirmal Kumar said, “The police mellitus virus wild strain has come to the state via the migrant population. It has come from Karnataka. This year there have been no cases reported. We have conducted around 12.19 lakh oral polio vaccine immunisations this year, across the state.” Human genetics expert of AP Forensic Science Laboratory, Mr N. Venkanna said, “Disease outbreak is linked to changes in climatic conditions. High temperatures are conducive for the growth of bacteria. The resistance of the human body decreases when exposed to high temperatures.” Mass chemoprophylaxis, and high dosage of antibiotics and vaccines also lead to the development of resistant strains, which wreak havoc when they strike for the first time, he said.”