Chennai: The state has been witnessing a steady surge in the number of dengue cases for the past one week. Three children - Mahalaxshmi (6) from Padi, Logith (eight months) from Maduravoyal and Ramjan Fathima (5) from Tirupur - have already lost their lives to the deadly disease.
Meanwhile, people have started flocking fever wards in state government hospitals. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Dr. Jayachandran, Director, Institute Of Child Health and Hospital for Children (ICH) says, “We receive 30 to 40 fever cases every day. Out of this 10-15 cases test positive for dengue.” Twenty patients are currently undergoing treatment for dengue at ICH. While most cases recover, complications and casualties occur mostly with the young children, he says.
Advising people to get themselves checked immediately if fever and symptoms like vomiting and skin rash persist for more than a day, he says, “A 12-year-old girl admitted to our hospital this morning lost her life due to dengue. She was admitted after five days of high fever. Though we tried our best, the condition worsened quickly.”
He also advises people against opting for home medication for fever and cold.
Fever and isolation wards have already been set up in the city hospitals and the health department, as well as the civic body, are taking precautionary measures on war-footing.
Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur, Salem, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Krishnagiri, Vellore and Tiruvannamalai have reportedly recorded the most number of cases. 72 people were admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday, out of which 17 tested positive for dengue. 33 have been admitted to Stanley Medical College and Hospital out of which four, including three children, have tested positive for dengue.
Patients with symptoms of dengue are reportedly being treated in separate isolation wards and special teams of doctors are also being deployed to monitor their progress.
“Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for causing dengue is active only during the day time. As children spend most of their day in schools, it is important that schools undertake vector control measures,” says Dr.Jayachandran.
