more-in Intermittent summer rains in the last two weeks have led to the resurgence of dengue cases in hilly areas in Kozhikode district. Breeding of mosquitoes in rubber plantations was the main cause for concern, Health Department sources said. The sources said three dengue cases had been confirmed in the past three days from Puthuppady, from where there had been an outbreak of the disease in the past two years around the same time. One of the affected persons is a labourer in a rubber plantation and the other two collect forest produce from the estate. Also, it is learnt that a large number of people have sought treatment for viral fever with symptoms such as high body temperatures, joint pain in private and government hospitals and primary health centres in the region. A Health Department official said there were eight rubber plantations in the Adivaram-Vallyadu area of which one is locked out, which is considered to be a source for mosquito breeding. Larvae were found on coconut shells, broken mud pots, plastic or tarpaulin sheets, and withered leaves where stagnant water could be collected after rain. The estate owners were often found to be unwilling to clear their premises of these sources and this leads to an outbreak of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, he added. The department convened a meeting of estate owners in the Adivaram-Vallyadu area on Friday and Saturday and told them to take preventive measures, including dry container elimination. Owners of two camps meant for migrant labourers were fined after mosquito breeding sources were noticed on the premises in an inspection by department staff. Around 200 people are put up in these places. Health Department personnel and volunteers of Kudumbasree and other non-governmental organisations visited residential localities too to create awareness about maintaining hygiene.

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