The burden of infectious disease is increasing rapidly and the incidence of two of the most common infectious diseases in the monsoon season — malaria and dengue — is very high among the young, according to a recent survey conducted by Lister Metropolis.
Of 12, 999 people screened for malaria in the city, 925 tested positive, while of 820 people screened for dengue, 166 tested positive.
The survey was conducted across Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune with medical teams doing tests for malarial parasite, malarial antigen, malaria antibody and dengue antibodies on the sample group. The results revealed that the prevalence of malaria is higher in males than females.
“Males and females within the age group of 15-30 years have shown the highest incidence for malaria as compared to other age groups.
Of 925 abnormal cases registered for the disease, 306 cases, which is almost 33 per cent, fall into this age group,” said Dr Anita Suryanarayan, vice-president, operations, Metropolis Health Care Ltd.
The study also highlights a declining trend in both malaria and dengue cases, which reflects a healthy sign of precautionary measures, care and effective control mechanisms that have been adopted by the authorities and the people of Chennai.