Clear sign that epidemic hasn’t yet abated
According to data updated up to November 15 by the Union Government, a total of 767 dengue cases and six deaths have been reported from Tamil Nadu in 10 days. As per figures on the website of the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme, updated up to November 5, this year, there were a total of 8452 cases of dengue in Tamil Nadu, and 54 deaths.
A Press Information Bureau update received on Friday (figures up to November 15) stated there were a total of 9249 cases and 60 deaths.
These are clear signs that the dengue epidemic has not yet abated in the State.
The outbreak, which was reported in May this year, has continued with minimal abatement and peaking in different phases. The latest spurt is in Cuddalore.
Health Department sources said they had written to the Centre complaining that it was not capturing comparable cases. For instance, in certain states, only cases from sentinel surveillance centres were being counted, whereas in others figures were being used from all testing centres. They had also complained about duplication of data and treating suspected cases as confirmed. The authorities also said that efforts were on to run confirmatory ELISA tests for confirming the diagnosis of dengue. Tamil Nadu had doubled the number of ELISA testing centres to ensure that no case was missed, and that unidentified cases did not contribute to the explosion of the epidemic.
Also, cases that were being treated at home earlier were now being diagnosed in fever camps conducted by the State and brought to hospitals. Backed by the source reduction of vector mosquitoes, the Health Department hoped to achieve sustainable reduction.
