Health Minister V S Vijay said that a sum of Rs 2 crore has been allocated as initial fund for the prevention of dengue in the State and more funds would be sanctioned as and when required.
The minister, who held a review meeting here on Friday, ascertained the views of health department officials from six districts, Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram and discussed steps to be taken to control dengue in the areas vulnerable to the killer fever.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, he said that more funds would be released soon for purchase of new equipment, including fogging machines to check the breeding of mosquitoes.
Further, vacancies in the health department would be filled in two months time which would provide adequate manpower to carry out other preventive measures.
As many as 35 persons have died in the state so far due to dengue, the minister informed and added that the highest number of deaths was recorded in Tirunelveli where 29 deaths were recorded. Besides, one each from Madurai, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar died of the killer fever. Totally, 119 from six southern districts have tested positive for dengue among the 1,429 persons who were screened, he said.
Dengue cases in private hospitals should be referred to the government hospitals. All cases with symptoms of dengue should be treated intensively, without waiting for test results, he stressed.
Four kinds of viruses could spread dengue. Of which, the first and second kind of viruses were not serious. The third variety was a deadly one, which was prevalent in Tirunelveli, he explained.
The minister said that there was no vaccination or specific tablets available to prevent dengue. It could be cured if proper treatment was given at the early stage. The platelet count would be reduced from normal two lakh to 50,000 in dengue infected persons. Blood transfusion would be done to save patients, he said.
Earlier, the health minister, along with Minister for Cooperation, Sellur K Raju flagged off a rally for creating awareness about dengue.