CHENNAI: Pointing out that the spread of dengue fever from Tirunelveli district to neighbouring districts, such as Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari, has been prevented to a large extent by the measures taken on a war-footing by her government, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday said a massive drive to eradicate the mosquitoes (fogging) that spread dengue fever would be launched across the State for two months from now.
“Comprehensive conservancy works will be undertaken in all areas of Tirunelveli district affected by dengue and specialists will be deputed from Chennai to Tirunelveli to treat those suffering from dengue,” the Chief Minister said in a statement, after chairing a meeting of the high-level committee at the Secretariat. Stating that District Collectors and District Medical Officers have been directed to take steps to eliminate dengue vector and to monitor those affected by dengue fever, the CM appealed to the public to cooperate with the government in its efforts.
People should ensure no water is stagnant in front of their houses, besides cleaning water tanks with bleaching powder once a week to prevent water contamination. “People suffering from all kinds of fever should immediately go to the nearest Primary Health Centre, medical camp or government hospital and get checked,” she said.
She said 1,466 people had been admitted to hospitals with fever and 817 had been diagnosed with dengue. Of the 817, as many as 423 people were undergoing treatment at the hospital and 29 persons had died of the fever. A high-level panel comprising a Special Secretary from the Health Department and top officials of the Public Health Department and others were monitoring the situation. Jayalalithaa said it was decided in today’s meeting that conservancy works would be taken up in the entire Dengue-hit Tirunelveli district and fogging operations to eradicate the mosquito menace will be taken up in all parts of the State for two months.
The Chief Minister also informed that 38 awareness camps were already being conducted across Tirunelveli district. Street corner meetings and distribution of pamphlets will be launched from 50 vehicles.
Further, mobile medical camps will be organised twice a day to identify those afflicted with dengue and transport them to hospitals. The Chief Minister said special wards will be set up in Tirunelveli and Tenkasi
hospitals.
She also announced that the government will ensure daily supply of drinking water in areas like Kadayanallur and Tirunelveli Corporation, to avoid people storing water, as the dengue virus flourishes only in clean, stored water. She said doctors in private clinics will be advised to conduct dengue tests on those coming to be treated for fever.
Already, Health Minister VS Vijay had visited the dengue-hit areas and met those affected by the fever at the hospital. From May 16, 1,330 workers had been engaged in mosquito eradication work across Tirunelveli district.