Fever outbreak: two health staff suspended

Situation under control in four Peraiyur villages

Following the recent fever outbreak in Peraiyur taluk of T. Kallupatti block in Madurai district, the Health Department on Saturday suspended two health officials on charge of dereliction of duty.

Three old people died of fever in Periya Chittulotti in the last few weeks while eight persons were admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital here with fever. One person tested positive for dengue fever and many others were suffering from fever in that hamlet and surrounding areas.

A. Palanichamy, Deputy Director of Health Services in charge, Madurai district, told

The Hindu that the Health Department took a serious view of the fever outbreak in the villages and the officials concerned were taken to task.

He said that a health inspector attached to the M. Subbulapuram primary health centre (PHC) and a health supervisor in T. Kallupatti block PHC had been placed under suspension because they were responsible for the sanitation, hygiene and public health in the villages that witnessed fever outbreak.

“We had to initiate disciplinary action. In Periya Chittulotti, with a population of only 400, 79 persons had confirmed fever and related symptoms. They (health staff) failed to monitor the public health aspects properly in that area. Collector Anshul Mishra and Director of Public Health R.T. Porkai Pandian were informed about the action taken,” he said.

Dr. Palanichamy said that the grassroot health staff should monitor the situation in villages and report the health status to senior level officials for preventive steps. “In the four villages in Peraiyur taluk where fever survey was done in the last couple of days, the situation is under control. We will take disciplinary action if there is surveillance failure. All the 13 blocks in our district are being watched,” the DD in-charge has said.