Karnataka government has allocated Rs. 50 lakh for the prevention of epidemic in the State, following the floods due to incessant rains.

According to N Cheluvaraswamy, minister of health and family welfare, government of Karnataka, the state is making all efforts to ensure prevention and control of likely epidemics, after the floods. Right now despite the floods and water logging, there has been no threat of an epidemic, he added.

However, 40 cases of gastroenteritis have been reported so far due to water contamination by floods at the Bangalore-based Government Epidemic Disease Hospital, according to Dr CR Thyagaraj, medical superintendent, Epidemic Disease Hospital. However, Dr P S Thandavamurthy, chief health officer, Bangalore Mahanagara Palike asserted that only four cases were reported from Bangalore corporation limits. The Victoria, Bowring, Government Epidemic and KC General Hospital in the city said no cholera cases have been reported in the last 72 hours.

As a precautionary measure, BMP has taken up spraying anti-malarial disinfectants at stagnant water sites and kept adequate supplies of chlorine and halogen tablets. All 29 BMP hospitals and its 23 dispensaries have been provided with sufficient drugs to take care of epidemics. There are reports of water contamination in several districts like Kolar, Mandya, Mysore, Coorg in the State. The State health and family welfare department has cautioned citizens to drink water after boiling it for 20 minutes. While the threat of water borne diseases is looming large over the State, the present weather conditions are spreading an epidemic of cold and cough.

Pharmacy retail outlets informed an increase in sales of anti inflammatory, anti pyretic analgesics drugs and B complex tablets. The cloudy and damp weather conditions has also led to an increase in asthmatic attacks which has resulted in a higher demand for corticosteroids and bronchodilators in syrups, tablets and inhalers as drug delivery devices.