Tamil Nadu has reported eight deaths due to dengue fever so far this year, with a total of 15,796 cases, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Tuesday. While the current situation is under control, this year’s case load is among the highest recorded in the past five years.After a review meeting on preparedness for the upcoming Northeast monsoon, Subramanian highlighted that the rise in dengue cases is primarily due to mosquito breeding in stagnant rainwater, particularly in discarded items like coconut shells around homes. He assured that municipal administration and rural development departments are actively implementing measures including source reduction, fogging, and anti-larval spraying to control Aedes mosquito populations.
The Health Minister emphasized that the current government has been transparent in sharing dengue data, including cases from private hospitals, unlike previous regimes. He noted that most of the deaths involved patients with co-morbidities or delayed medical attention, underscoring the need for early treatment.
To further prevent the spread of dengue during the upcoming monsoon, the state plans to conduct nearly 10,000 medical camps across districts, particularly in areas reporting multiple cases of fever or diarrhoea, aiming to raise awareness and ensure timely treatment.