Kalmunai Regional Health Services Director (RDHS) Dr. G. Sugunan said that 900 dengue patients have been detected from the Kalmunai area since January. Furthermore, two persons died from Kalmunai North and Thirukkovil areas, he said.
In January and February, 700 patients have been detected in the region, he said. He said that many dengue awareness programmes and eradication campaigns were held this year, but the response was very poor. About 27,000 cases and 25 deaths due to dengue have been recorded across the country between January and September 08, Dr. Sugunan said.
Red alerts have been issued in the Kalmunai North, Kalmunai South, Nintavur, Addalaichenai, Akkaripattu, and Pottuvil MOH areas coming under the purview of Kalmunai RDHS, he said.The Sammanthurai, Alayadivembu, Karaitivu, Sainthamaruthu, Irakkamam, Navithanveli, and Thirukkovil MOH areas in the region are with less cases, he added. He requested all heads of state and private departments and principals of schools to pay much attention to eradicate dengue mosquitoes in their respective premises, and also to keep same clean.
Residents with mosquito-breeding grounds in their home gardens were identified and warned to clean their premises. Uncleared garbage is another cause of the spread of dengue fever, the RDHS said.
