Dengue-hit Virudhunagar district has sought more entomologists in areas of high fever incidence to study vector index and recommend mosquito control measures to public health officials and local bodies.
The health officials have asked the Directorate of Public Health to send at least two entomologists so that they can randomly check mosquito density and prevalence of dengue-causing vector in various areas.
A. Palanichamy, Deputy Director of Health Services (Virudhunagar), told The Hindu on Thursday that the Director of Public Health had agreed to depute additional entomologists who would be assigned the task of studying the vector index in municipalities and rural areas.
“We are now focusing on Aruppukottai municipality and surrounding areas since viral fever and dengue cases were reported from them earlier. Special teams are carrying out anti-larval work to weed out breeding sources,” he added.
While the outbreak of dengue has been contained in Rajapalayam, the district administration has started to focus on other towns. Fever cases are being monitored closely in Aruppukottai and patients referred to nearby hospitals.
Dr Palanichamy said that the situation was now well under control and the Collector was monitoring dengue prevention activities.
“In Aruppukottai Government Hospital, only 20 outpatient cases come for fever treatment per day. This number is very less compared to the situation a month ago. Instructions are given to admit the patients wherever required,” he said.
