Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight-2022

About Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDFC)–  

• It will be implemented from June 13 to 27 in all the states and union territories.
• IDCF consists of a set of activities to be implemented in an intensified manner for prevention and control of deaths due to dehydration from diarrhoea across all states and UTs. 
• These activities mainly include intensification of advocacy and awareness generation activities for diarrhoea management, strengthening service provision for diarrhoea case management, establishment of ORS-Zinc corners, prepositioning of ORS by ASHA in households with under-five children and awareness generation activities for hygiene and sanitation.
• IDCF has been organised since 2014 .  
• In view of the high prevalence of diarrhoea, this fortnight is organised especially during summer or monsoon to ensure that effective preventive measures are taken.

What is Diarrhoea?

• Diarrhoea is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements each day. 
• It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss.
• Signs of dehydration often begin with loss of the normal stretchiness of the skin and irritable behaviour. 
• This can progress to decreased urination, loss of skin colour, a fast heart rate, and a decrease in responsiveness as it becomes more severe.
• Loose but non-watery stools in babies who are exclusively breastfed, however, are normal.
• The most common cause is an infection of the intestines due to either a virus, bacterium, or parasite—a condition also known as gastroenteritis.
• These infections are often acquired from food or water that has been contaminated by feces, or directly from another person who is infected.  
• The three types of diarrhoea are: 
  • Short duration watery diarrhoea. 
  • Short duration bloody diarrhoea, and 
  • Persistent diarrhoea (lasting more than two weeks, which can be either watery or bloody). 
• The short duration watery diarrhoea may be due to cholera, although this is rare in the developed world. If blood is present, it is also known as dysentery. 
• A number of non-infectious causes can result in diarrhoea. These include lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis, hyperthyroidism, bile acid diarrhoea etc…
• Diarrhoea can be prevented through safe drinking water, breastfeeding/appropriate nutrition, hygiene and hygiene measures like hand-washing etc…

• Oral rehydration solution (ORS) clean water with modest amounts of salts and sugar is the treatment of choice. 
• Zinc tablets are also recommended.