With the pandemic receding and summer setting in, the focus has now shifted on enteric diseases, especially gastroenteritis (GE). According to the State Health and Family Welfare Department’s status report of communicable diseases in Karnataka, a total of 18,659 GE cases have been reported from January till February end this year. Data for March is not available as it is yet to be compiled.
Enteric illnesses are frequently characterised by diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever among other symptoms. They can be transmitted via ingestion of contaminated food or water, exposure to infected vomit or faeces, direct or indirect contact with infected persons or animals or contaminated objects.
Doctors said enteric diseases are a major concern in summer, especially this year with the pandemic receding. In the last two years, the focus was on COVID-19 and people hardly reported any other ailments.
