An 11-year-old boy belonging to Duraisamypuram in Rajapalayam died of dengue fever on Saturday.
The boy, Hari Prasad, had been undergoing treatment at the government hospital in Rajapalayam after he tested positive.
As his condition became very critical, he was referred to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here. Within a few minutes after he was brought to the paediatrics ward, the boy died despite efforts by the doctors to revive him.
With this, the total death toll due to dengue in Rajapalayam has gone up to eight, according to M.Kathiresan, Joint Director of Health Services, Virudhunagar district. Rajapalayam town has been battling with dengue virus since last month.
“The boy had taken dengue treatment already and was discharged earlier. But again he was brought to Rajapalayam GH on Wednesday and doctors told his parents to admit him in the hospital. However, they cited Pongal festival and took him home. On Saturday he came in a very bad shape and we had to refer him to Madurai GRH as we suspected multi-organ failure,” Dr.Kathiresan said on Sunday.
Appeal to public
He appealed to the public to immediately approach government hospitals in case they have fever because all diagnostic and treatment facilities are available. He urged them to avoid self-medication.
“Expert paediatricians who are trained to handle dengue cases have come from the Institute of Child Health in Chennai and other places. These doctors are camping at various places in Virudhunagar district,” he said. As of Sunday, 38 persons are undergoing treatment for dengue in Rajapalayam. Virudhunagar District Collector V.Rajaram is holding a review meeting everyday with health and municipal officials to take stock of the preventive measures in place.
