DHARMAPURI: Panic gripped Jambukarankottai near Sollaikottai in the district after over 50 people were down with a ‘mystery’ fever. Among the affected, two persons were diagnosed with chikungunya and one with scrub typhus at a special camp organised by the health department on Sunday.
Most of the affected were complaining about sever body ache too.
Speaking to Express, Vijayalakshmi, deputy director of health services, said, “Over 50 villagers have visited the camp in the past few days and 20 are suspected to be suffering from chikungunya. On Sunday, 17 people underwent check up, of which five showed the symptoms of chikungunya.”
The blood samples of the people suspected to be suffering from the disease were collected. “People suffering from fever need not panic, as it may not be any major disease,” said Vijayalakshmi.
Authorities were taking precautionary measures, such as chlorinating water bodies and improving solid waste management, to curtail the spread of disease.
“We collected water samples from the village tank, and found microorganisms in it. We have told the authorities to clean up the tank,” the official said.
Most of the people are suffering from myalgia, a type of body pain, which can be cured by taking medicine, Vijayalakshmi said.
People with high fever were being referred to Sollaikottai Primary Health Centre (PHC), while a team comprising Jaishree, block medical officer and Anbumati, medical officer (in-charge) of Sollaikottai Primary Health Centre, was looking after the camp. Besides, the village health nurses (VHN), health inspectors and block health supervisors have been regularly monitoring the people.
Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, Member of Parliament Anbumani Ramadoss visited the people and enquired about their condition.
Later, he conducted enquiries with the medical team about the cause of the fever and ways to tackle it. He also asked the medical team to ensure that the disease does not spread further.