One more suspected dengue death in Nellai

TIRUNELVELI: One more case of suspected dengue death was reported on Sunday from Thalaarkulam village near Mukkudal in Tirunelveli district, where two boys succumbed to dengue two weeks ago.

The victim, a sixth standard student, Francis Moses (11), son of Anthony Xavieriar of Thalakulam village is said to have taken treatment for continuous fever at the primary health centre at Mukkudal and was referred to the Tirunelveli government medical college hospital three days ago on Oct.8. According to sources at the primary health centre, the boy was suspected to have dengue and hence was referred to the medical college hospital where he died on Sunday morning.

Tirunelveli medical college hospital dean Ms K Sithy Athiya Munavarah however denied that Francis Moses died of dengue. Speaking to DC she said that the boy was affected by chicken pox two months ago, had mumps last month and became a disease immuno-suppression child. “The child developed post-viral encephalopathy and this caused the death,” she said. Since the boy belonged to Thalarkulam village that has seen a dengue outbreak in the district, he was tested for dengue, and this proved negative.

As of now, according to the Tirunelveli medical college hospital dean, two boys, aged ten and eight respectively, are undergoing treatment for dengue in the pediatric ward. “The two patients are quite healthy,” said the dean.