Chennai: The grip of the ‘mystery fever’ in the state seems to be getting stronger with several hundred cases being reported every day. The past month has seen an unprecedented surge in fever cases in the state, including dengue which has till now affected more than 3,400 people.
According to sources, a large number of people from Tambaram, Pallavaram, Chengalpattu, Maraimalainagar, Kanchipuram, Sriperambadur and Madhurandhagam have been admitted to hospitals for ‘mystery fever’, which on an average requires 10 days of recovery period. They have been reported to run high temperatures between 103 degrees Fahrenheit and 107 degrees Fahrenheit and suffer from severe body pain. A four-year child from Guduvancherry also reportedly succumbed to dengue last week. However, public health department officials have denied the claims and have termed it a case of ‘viral’ fever.
In Kanchipuram district alone, 211 people have been admitted to 23 district
government hospitals and public health centres. Of this, 29 people are suspected to have dengue. Other than this, blood tests have confirmed seven cases of dengue in Kanchipuram government hospital alone.
The suspected patients are reportedly being treated in isolation wards whereas patients admitted for fever are attended to in the general wards at the hospitals.
In a media interaction on Thursday, Dr Senthil Kumar, Joint Director, Kanchipuram district health department reassured the public and requested them not to panic. “The situation is under control. The health department is keeping a close watch on the developments and all hospitals have been stocked with sufficient medical supplies.”, he said. He also asked the people not to believe in false reports and advised them against taking over-the-counter medication prescribed by pharmacies. “ In the case of fever, consult a doctor immediately and seek immediate medical help”, he said.
