District Health Officer Dr S M Mallegowda said 12-year-old Beeregowda, who was admitted to a city-based hospital, did not die of dengue fever.
“As his platelet count was 1.60 lakh, it is clearly not a dengue death. The boy was suffering from severe fever and an epileptic attack led to his death. The final conclusion will be given after examining the ELISA report,” he added. “We have managed to control dengue fever in the district. Out of four children who died recently in D Salundi, only one was a dengue death. We examined 454 patients, of whom 31 tested positive for dengue. We have sufficient medicines and patients from Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajnagar are undergoing treatment at Cheluvamba and KR Hospitals. Some people are projecting Mysore as a hub of dengue,” he rued.
DC Ramegowda asked private hospital managements not to deny treatment to poor patients who could not afford it. He instructed the heads of the government and private hospitals to confirm dengue through Elisa test and then speak to the media to avoid panic.
A task force has been formed under the guidance of the District Health Officer where ASHA workers, assistant health officers and PDOs will educate people on cleanliness and how to control mosquito breeding.
A special nodal officer will be appointed and he will give day-to-day reports to the DHO. The district administration is planning to distribute mosquito nets to Anganwadis. DHO Dr S M Mallegowda said that mosquito nets will be distributed to 2,827 Anganwadis in a phased manner.
A team of health officials from D Salundi hospital are monitoring the Anganwadi and TP officials are educating people on hygiene.