Drug administration drive against lymphatic filariasis launched in 14 Jharkhand districts
Ranchi (PTI): A 16-day mass drug administration (MDA) drive to eliminate lymphatic filariasis was launched in 14 districts of Jharkhand on Tuesday, with the aim of making the state free from the disease by 2029, an official said.
The drive will be conducted from February 10 to February 25 in Ranchi, Bokaro, Deoghar, Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, Garhwa, Giridih, Gumla, Ramgarh, Sahibganj, Lohardaga, Koderma, Pakur and Simdega.
Lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis is an infectious disease that typically spreads through mosquito bites. It can lead to fluid retention and disfigurement.
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State Programme Officer (Vector-Borne Disease) Dr Birendra Kumar Singh said health workers will administer anti-filariasis drugs to eligible beneficiaries through booths and door-to-door visits. Children below two years of age, pregnant women and seriously ill persons will be excluded from the campaign, he said.
Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari has said the state has set a target to eliminate filariasis by 2029.
In Ranchi, drugs will be administered at 619 booths or camps set up in four affected blocks – Rahe, Sonahatu, Tamar and Kanke – Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri said in a statement.
A total population of 4,91,014 has been identified for administration of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole, it said.
The drive is being carried out in these four blocks following detection of filariasis cases during a recent transmission assessment survey, an official said.
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Crow deaths in Dindigul: Residents worry, officials rule out health risk
Dindigul (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Residents of Vedasandur in the district raised apprehensions over the crow deaths that have been reported over the last few days, sources said.
However, a health official on Tuesday said that there were not so many deaths as reported in the media and allayed concerns of bird flu.
While there have been deaths of one or two crows during the recent past, on February 8 alone, about six to seven crows died, leading to some anxious moments among the public, as it may be due to bird flu.
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The Vedasandur taluk in the district is home to several decade-old trees, including neem, tamarind and peepal, attracting large number of birds such as mynas, crows and cuckoos, officials said.
"There have been deaths of one or two crows. But it is not as mentioned in some media reports of over 100. On February 8, there were about six to seven crow deaths. We got information about the dead crows. We collected them and buried them," the official told PTI.
Responding to a query, he said, "There is no need for the public to worry about health. We have informed the veterinarians who have collected some samples (from the dead crows) and are investigating the cause of deaths."
On February 6, Tamil Nadu government sounded an alert following reports of crow deaths in various parts of the state, triggering concerns over a potential outbreak of avian influenza.
The Department of Animal Husbandry has directed its officials to intensify surveillance and step up vigil to detect any unusual sickness or mortality among crows, migratory birds and commercial poultry.
Director of Public Health, Dr A Somasundaram, told PTI on February 6 that the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has also released a separate communication, appealing to the public to follow strict safety protocols.
