The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Dengue claims eight lives in State

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Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Dengue claims eight lives in State

Special Correspondent

Disease breaks out in 14 districts affecting 782 persons

HYDERABAD: The government on Tuesday officially put the dengue fever toll across the State so far, at eight and the affected cases at 782.

The disease broke out in 14 districts, but deaths occurred ironically in Karimnagar and Hyderabad (urban) districts, where medical facilities are amply available. Karimnagar accounted for five deaths and Hyderabad for three.

Highest in Ranga Reddy

With 220 cases, Ranga Reddy district topped the list followed by Hyderabad (204) and Karimnagar 49.

The other districts which reported dengue cases were Warangal ( 49), Khammam ( 34), Nalgonda ( 27), Adilabad (21), Medak ( 10), Nizamabad and Nellore ( five each) , Kurnool (four), Krishna (two) and Pakasam and West Godavari (one each).

Speaking to reporters after Chief Minister K. Rosaiah reviewed the status of the communicable diseases, L. V. Subrahmanyam, Principal Secretary, Health, said dengue, was now on the decline. It was expected to disappear from the State by mid-November.

Swine flu dips

He clarified that a dengue patient would require blood transfusion only if the platelet count in blood dipped below 30,000.

Free blood transfusion was extended to the patients in 11 government hospitals with help of Red Cross and some medical colleges, for improving a patient’s platelet count.

Mr. Subrahmanyam said swine flu was on the wane too, though the screening at Shamshabad international airport was continuing.

Mr. Rosaiah regretted that communicable diseases were being tackled on ad-hoc basis. He wanted officials to formulate a long-term policy so that prevention could be given a thrust.

Qualified personnel

He said, as part of the long-term policy, only those qualified and trained in public health would be appointed as district medical and health officers (DMHOs) .

For the time being, courses and training in public health would be offered at the Indian Institute of Public Health, here.

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