Chennai, Aug 25:
Tamil Nadu has recorded 12,543 dengue cases and four deaths from January to August 23 this year, Health Minister Arunraj said on Monday, adding that preventive measures have been intensified across the State ahead of the northeast monsoon.
Speaking to reporters after a video conference with district health officers and senior officials at the Secretariat, Arunraj said dengue cases were gradually increasing and stressed the need for public cooperation to contain the spread.
According to the Minister, Tamil Nadu had recorded 25,521 dengue cases and 12 deaths during the corresponding period last year. This year’s case count is therefore about half that of last year.
Chennai has reported the highest number of dengue cases in the State, followed by Coimbatore, Kancheepuram, Erode, Tiruvallur and Tenkasi, among other districts.
Arunraj said dengue is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which generally bites during the daytime, and urged people to prevent water stagnation around their homes.
He said the Aedes mosquito breeds mainly in clean, stagnant water, including water collected in containers, tyres and other objects. Studies have also found mosquito larvae in blue plastic cans used by households to store water, he said.
The Minister appealed to residents to regularly inspect their surroundings and remove stagnant water. He also urged people to cooperate with mosquito-control workers visiting their homes.