Tirunelveli, Tenkasi intensify dengue control after suspected deaths, ahead of monsoon

TIRUNELVELI: The district administration has intensified preventive measures against dengue and other vector-borne diseases as the northeast monsoon approaches. With sporadic cases being reported from various parts of Tirunelveli and neighbouring Tenkasi district, Collector Anand Mohan chaired a meeting on Tuesday evening to review operations and prevent a possible outbreak during the upcoming rainy season.

The district is expected to experience heavy downpour between October and December this year due to the effects of Super El-Nino, making early action necessary. The Collector directed local administration and public health departments to carry out mass cleaning operations to remove garbage and discarded articles, organise medical camps in vulnerable areas, and desilt clogged drainage and storm water channels to avert water stagnation.

Local bodies have been instructed to clean all overhead tanks and ground-level sumps before ensuring the supply of duly chlorinated drinking water. The chlorination process should be constantly monitored through chemical analysis at laboratories maintained by the local bodies, and the drinking water analysis reports should be maintained properly.

To ensure timely detection and treatment, anti-dengue workers will be deployed in sufficient numbers across local bodies. Their duties will include identifying dengue cases, guiding patients to the right line of medical assistance, and monitoring the health of patients after complete recovery or discharge from hospital. The Collector also stressed the need to drain stagnant rainwater and sewage immediately. Garbage such as discarded plastic products, tyres, and bottles should be removed, as water accumulating in these articles facilitates mosquito breeding.

Health officials have been put on high alert. Adequate stocks of essential medicines, testing kits, and platelets are being ensured at government hospitals and primary health centres. Medical officers have been asked to remain vigilant and coordinate with local bodies for rapid response. The local bodies have also been directed to prepare a micro-plan for each ward, identifying high-risk zones and vulnerable populations, with special attention to areas with poor drainage and dense housing.

The district administration will also create awareness among the public on keeping their environment clean. The Collector urged residents to cooperate by ensuring water does not stagnate in their surroundings, and that containers such as flower pots, coolers, and buckets are emptied and cleaned regularly. Community participation is essential in the fight against vector-borne diseases. Strict action will be taken against those who defy the instructions.

School and college students and children attending anganwadis with fever should be immediately referred to the nearest government hospital or primary health centre, and the Taluk Medical Officer should be alerted, the Collector said.

The meeting was attended by District Health Officer Murali Shankar, City Health Officer Balasubramanian, medical officers of government hospitals, Block Development Officers, Executive Officers of town panchayats, and municipal commissioners.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Tenkasi district, two suspected dengue deaths have been reported. Class VIII student Rehan Mary and 21-year-old D. Nirmala, both from the Boganallur Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camp, were admitted to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital with suspected dengue symptoms. While Rehan Mary died a month ago, Nirmala died on Tuesday night. The cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and rash. Severe dengue can be life-threatening. Health experts stress the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding sites and seeking medical care at the first sign of infection.

The Tenkasi district administration has intensified its anti-dengue drive by organising mass cleaning operations in residential areas and conducting medical camps in areas recording an abnormal number of fever cases.