Over 285 cases of dengue have been reported so far across the state and the recent incidents of dengue-related deaths have sparked off panic among the public. Several persons are getting admitted to hospitals with dengue and swine flu and TN has recorded 24 dengue-related deaths so far. On Friday alone, six persons died due to the fever and this has sent alarm bells ringing all over the state.
In a related development, health minister, Dr V.S. Vijay, said Siddha remedies like ‘nila vembu’, a Siddha concoction that helps reduce the spread of the dengue-causing virus in the human body, would be made available at all government hospitals to prevent the disease. It will also be available at the primary health centres and Siddha hospitals in the state.
In a day, more than 7,000 people approach government hospitals across the state for treatment of fever, cold, cough and other viral infections. Up till last week, almost 70 persons have taken the Elisa test for dengue and 300 have tested positive for the disease after using the rapid diagnosis kit. More than 175 people have been treated for dengue in the districts so far and 110 are undergoing treatment at hospitals with symptoms of the fever.
Senior health officials assured that they were identifying hotspots and intensifying mosquito control exercises. “The entire state is under constant monitoring and the hospitals across Tamil Nadu, including primary health centres, have enough stock of medicines and blood. We are identifying the hotspots and conducting vector control measures,” said a senior health official.