Weil's disease in Alappuzha

Just two years after the death dance of Chikungunea it is now Weil's disease playing its roulette game in Alappuzha. Any one may be hit any time but none cares.
Four persons died due to Weil's disease in the last three days, creating panic in Cherthala, Kuttanad, Harippad and Kayamkulam regions of Alappuzha district. The total number of people dead of Weil's in Alappuzha district this year has rose to 18. Figures available with the Health Department say that Alappuzha alone has so far witnessed 1136 Weil's cases and this had led to the death of 76 persons.

Lack of rat eradication actions and pitilessness of the Health and Agriculture departments are the reasons for the spread of the disease through the water-bound areas. From Medical Entrance test to medical care the Alappuzha district is the most neglected place. Doctors from this area are scarce to meet the medical requirement of the people. What the people could relish in Alappuzha is the selling of poor quality vegetables under the title ‘organic vegetable’ through public distribution systems- an Isaacean way to siphon out money from state exchequer and thereby enhance minister’s hold in his constituency. There is no novel step from any side to save the people from misery.
Though, the officials in the Medical Department claim that regular works for eradication of rats in all regions have been going on without any problem people notice no such activities. Perhaps the work may be in papers and the present day crafty officials are capable of producing any account. Strict monitoring measures should only bring forth the desired result; nevertheless there is no mechanism for it.

The Weil's disease threat is now a complicated situation in Alappuzha district and hence government should take serious step to contain the disease. All government machinery should be asked to take part in eradicating the dreadful disease. Voluntary Health workers can also do a lot in this direction and it is duty of the government to encourage them.

K A Solaman