Chennai, Sept 17:
Chennai has reported a rise in fever cases in recent weeks, with more than 2,000 cases recorded during the first 10 days of September, including 140 confirmed dengue cases. The increase has prompted the Greater Chennai Corporation to intensify dengue surveillance and mosquito-control measures across the city.
The rise comes amid intermittent rainfall, which can create favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. Around 4,500 fever cases were reported in Chennai in August, of which 160 were identified as dengue cases. Adyar, Anna Nagar and Valasaravakkam have reported relatively higher numbers of fever and dengue cases.
The GCC has stepped up house-to-house visits, fever surveillance and source-reduction activities to identify and eliminate mosquito-breeding sites. Field teams are inspecting residential areas, vacant plots, construction sites and public institutions for stagnant water and other potential breeding sources.
Private hospitals have also been asked to share daily information on fever cases to strengthen disease surveillance and help identify areas requiring additional preventive measures. Mosquito-control teams have been deployed across all 15 zones of the city.
Health authorities have clarified that the increase in fever cases does not necessarily indicate a dengue outbreak, as several other viral infections are also circulating in Chennai. Doctors have reported respiratory infections involving Influenza A, Rhinovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Residents with persistent fever have been advised to consult a doctor and undergo appropriate medical evaluation instead of self-medicating. Medical attention should be sought promptly if fever is accompanied by severe body pain, headache, vomiting, rash, unusual tiredness or bleeding symptoms.
With rainfall expected to continue, residents have been advised to prevent mosquito breeding around their homes and workplaces by removing stagnant water from containers, flowerpots and discarded tyres, keeping water-storage containers covered, cleaning refrigerator drip trays and other areas where water can collect, and clearing garbage and waste from residential and commercial premises.
Residents have also been urged to cooperate with GCC health teams during inspections and use mosquito nets, repellents and protective clothing where appropriate. Officials have stressed that eliminating stagnant water is important to reduce potential breeding sites for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Dengue continues to be a public-health concern across Tamil Nadu. Health Minister K.G. Arunraj recently stated in the Assembly that the State had recorded 14,581 dengue cases and nine deaths in 2026 at that point in the reporting period. A subsequent report on September 16 put the State’s dengue case count at 15,933, with nine deaths.
Health officials have stressed the importance of early detection, mosquito-control measures and timely medical care in managing dengue and other infections as rainfall increases in the coming weeks.