Measures being taken to rein in spread of dengue in Tamil Nadu, says Health Minister Ma Subramanian

Chennai, Oct 31 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu government is taking all steps to prevent spread of dengue and to avert loss of lives due to that disease, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ma Subramanian said here on Friday.

Allaying fears that there has been a surge, as regards dengue and malaria, he said Tamil Nadu was the only state in the country with as many as 4,785 laboratories to test samples of dengue and malaria.

"This year alone, 2.52 lakh samples were tested and dengue has been brought under control. There are more than 24,000 health care workers involved in controlling the spread of dengue and malaria", he told reporters.

Responding to a question, he said, in Tamil Nadu, till date 18,725 people were affected by dengue and nine people have died.

People should take precautionary measures and consult doctor, he said and urged pregnant women, senior citizens and children to get treated immediately.

The minister reviewed the measures taken by the health department to control spread of diseases in view of the Northeast monsoon season (October-December).

Tamil Nadu reported 66 dengue deaths, the highest, in 2012 and 65 people died in 2017, the minister said adding after the DMK assumed office in 2021, efforts were taken to prevent spread of dengue and now, deaths due to that disease stood at nine.

"Measures are being taken to prevent deaths due to dengue," he said.

Also, about 218 people were affected by malaria this year as compared to 284 last year.

"As far as Chikungunya virus is concerned, 425 people were treated this year as against 550 people last year." he said.

The Public Health department has taken the initiative to spread awareness on the diseases during the monsoon season, he added. PTI VIJ VIJ VGN