Chennai: Two children, Nandhini (5) from Mathur village and Monisha (9) from Thandalam in Thiruvallur district died of suspected dengue.
So far, five patients from Thiruvallur succumbed to the fever, following which the number of sanitary workers has been increased and the government has stepped up prevention measures across the State.
Also, hospitals have been stocked with enough medicines, while health officers have been asked to closely watch the situation and take necessary steps.
According to television reports, of 184 patients admitted to Coimbatore Government Hospital for fever, 52 have been diagnosed of dengue.
Similarly, five in Kanyakumari, 14 in Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital, four in Aruppukottai, three in Thanjavur and two each in Trichy and Karur have been identified to be affected with dengue and are currently undergoing treatment at State-owned hospitals.
”About 10 per cent of patients consulting for fever at government hospitals have dengue symptoms. This monsoon season will be challenging for Health Department. But we are ready to face any situation and people need not worry,” said State Health Minister C Vijayabaskar after inspecting Thoothukudi Government College and Hospital today.
Two patients have been admitted to the government hospital for treating dengue at Thoothukudi. ”The patients are being given proper treatment. The government is taking measures to prevent widespread of fever,” he said.
On Monday, a 21-year-old woman near Tiruttani succumbed to fever after treatment failed to cure her. Her relatives said she was suffering from dengue.
The woman, identified as Sangeetha from Arungulam village, was admitted to Tiruttani Government Hospital last week. She was then shifted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital as the fever intensified.
”Around 3,000 cases of the fever have been reported in the State from early this year. Special teams have been deployed to undertake fogging activity, destruct Aedes mosquito species and identify breeding areas,” said Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Director, K Kolandaswamy.
He further said that the incidences are less in comparison with the previous year data, but suspected dengue cases are more in border districts like Dharmapuri and Chennai among many other places.