El Nino may cut rainfall, raise dengue risk in Tamil Nadu: Health Minister

Tamil Nadu's Health Minister K.G. Arunraj on Tuesday said that available information indicates the El Nino effect could lead to reduced rainfall in the state this year, potentially increasing the risk of dengue as people store water, creating breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.

Speaking at an inter-department coordination meeting held to review preparedness for monsoon-related infectious diseases, the Minister underscored the unique challenge posed by this weather pattern. Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N. Anand was also present at the meeting.

Arunraj stressed the vital role of domestic breeding checkers in preventing dengue. Noting that mosquito breeding sources may exist in and around houses, he said that residents may not always permit workers to inspect their premises. He urged that residents be sensitised and made aware of the risks, and that their permission be obtained before carrying out checks and removing potential breeding sources.

The Minister also warned of the risk of acute diarrhoeal diseases during the rainy season and emphasised the need for chlorination of drinking water sources to prevent contamination.

According to a press release issued after the meeting, fever surveillance activities have been intensified across the state. Fever and infectious diseases are being continuously monitored through 5,781 government and private hospitals. It was also emphasised that 4,083 laboratories operating under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme should upload disease-related information daily and remain vigilant so that immediate containment measures can be taken if any unusual disease outbreak is detected.

The meeting was informed that 38 District Rapid Response Teams and 385 Block Rapid Response Teams are fully prepared to respond quickly whenever information about disease spread is received. These teams have been instructed to undertake disease confirmation, field inspections, and necessary control measures.

During the meeting, instructions were also issued to ensure that dedicated fever wards and fever clinics in government hospitals are fully functional. Authorities were directed to ensure the availability of adequate medicines, laboratory facilities, medical equipment, bed capacity, and emergency care arrangements, the release said.