THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With 11 more deaths from dengue and other fevers in the past two days and no let-up in fever cases across the state, the government is starting 24-hour monitoring cells in all districts from Tuesday to create awareness and to coordinate all fever prevention activities.
Six dengue-related deaths were reported from across the state, with four deaths in Palakkad and two in Thiruvananthapuram. The number of dengue deaths this month has reached 30.
Seven persons died of leptospirosis so far this month, with reports of one death each in Kasargode and Thrissur in the past two days, the report of the Directorate of Health Services said. H1N1 has claimed 12 lives across the state. On Monday, two H1N1 deaths, one each from Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram were reported. In the capital city, one person succumbed to fever taking the toll to 12 this month.
Health Minister K K Shylaja said there will be a separate system for coordinating the monitoring cells across the state. People can call the cell on toll free number 1056, in case of shortage of medicines, lack of proper treatment or other difficulties.
This month, 2.6 lakh people were affected with fever, with reports of 11,176 suspected and 2,422 confirmed dengue cases till June 19. While 10 suspected and 11 confirmed cases of chikungunya were reported, 196 suspected and 118 confirmed leptospirosis cases were reported in the state. The other fever cases reported are Hepatitis A (suspected 282, confirmed 41), Hepatitis B (33), Hepatitis C (7), chicken pox (1,014) and H1N1 (187).