THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five persons, including a three-year old boy, died of suspected dengue, fever and leptospirosis in various parts of the district on Thursday. According to sources, 62 more confirmed cases of dengue and one case of leptospirosis were reported during the day. Thiruvananthapuram was having the highest number of dengue cases compared to other districts. Three-year old Abhinand, hailing from Kattakada, died at SAT hosptial following pneumonia and other lung ailments. Rameshan, 39, of Veerabakavu and Subramaniyan, 64, of Cherinyoor died due to suspected dengue. Aji, 38, f Thiruvallam died due to leptospirosis.
Though a Vallakadu native died after fainting at hosptial, it was later reported as a case of cardiac arrest. Apart from 62 confirmed cases of dengue, 142 persons were admitted with dengue suspicion. One case of leptospirosis was also confirmed. Over 2,000 persons visited outpatient wings of various hospitals for fever during the day, health department sources said. Director of health services Dr Saritha R.L. urged that people with slight fever should also take proper treatment. Precautionary measures like maintaining cleanliness should be ensured. The government was also carrying out steps to curb mosquito menace.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of Residents Associations demanded the government to give a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the relatives of those who died due to dengue, fever and other related diseases. The confederation demanded the government to take bold initiatives to bring in a policy for waste management and set up state of the art waste treatment plants. Stern legal action should be taken against those opposing waste management steps, they urged.
