As gastroenteritis cases rise, the BMC is attempting to improve the stomachs of children

In response to the increase in gastroenteritis cases, public health officials will launch the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) campaign across the city from July 1 to July 15. Workers would counsel parents on various aspects of preventing and controlling the spread of diarrhoea during the programme, which was aimed at children aged up to five. According to officials, Anganwadi workers and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) will go door to door in villages to distribute oral rehydration solution (ORS) and zinc tablets.

 

According to a senior officer from the municipal health department, this campaign will benefit over 6 lakh children. The program's goal is to reduce child mortality due to diarrhoea. If a child is diagnosed with diarrhoea, parents should contact the nearest municipal health facility right away, according to BMC executive health officer Dr. Mangala Gomare. Taking a quick look at the recent past, the pediatrician believes that acute diarrhoea in children has increased in the last few weeks. Rotavirus is a virus that is easily transmitted to infants and young children.

 

The virus is capable of causing severe diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. "The majority of diarrhoea cases in children are caused by viruses such as norovirus, astrovirus, and adenovirus." "The most common and also the worst is rotavirus because the frequency of passing stools is too high and many have to be hospitalised due to dehydration," a paediatrician explained. "We see 5-10 cases of diarrhoea in children every day," the doctor said, adding that the current number of cases among children is higher than in the previous two years.