As the number of fever-related deaths continue to rise in southern districts of the State, officials say that they are attempting to contain numbers to the bare minimum.
Collector S. Natarajan said only one person died of swine flu in Madurai. But sources in the Government Rajaji Hospital said there had been four deaths in the last two months.
At present, 248 patients are being treated at different fever wards in Madurai district with 28 having tested positive for the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) and eight for dengue.
D. Maruthupandian, Dean, said five persons, including two children, were treated for swine flu. The fever ward had 98 patients, the Dean said and added that the hospital had enough stock of flu vaccines and Tamiflu tablets.
Tirunelveli
Five patients, who tested positive for swine flu, are under treatment in the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, which was now receiving 200 patients a day with fever across the district.
“During other seasons, we would be receiving just 20 to 30 patients a day with fever,” says Dean S.M. Kannan. The demand for vaccines had gone up manifold, and the pharmacies and the stockists were selling the vaccines for the viral infection at an inflated price. The swine flu vaccines, which were sold anywhere between ₹250 and ₹600 were now being sold at ₹1,300 to ₹2,400.“Owing to short supply, we are getting the vaccines from our suppliers at an inflated price and we are being compelled to pass on the cost to the buyers,” a Palayamkottai-based stockist said.
Thoothukudi
Collector Sandeep Nanduri said 10 dengue and five swine flu cases had been reported in Thoothukudi district so far.
Out of the five swine flu cases, he said that two had recovered and returned home after treatment. Three others were being treated for swine flu, while one more person was suspected to have the flu. Four of the cases had been reported within Corporation limits, he added.
Further, Mr. Nanduri said that there had been no “confirmed deaths” due to dengue and swine flu so far.
M. Geetharani, Deputy Director of Health Services, said that over 200 persons had been reported to have fever.
Marriage halls and movie theatres were being asked to keep their premises clean by using sanitisers, Mr. Nanduri said. Over 1,400 DBC workers have been engaged across the district for checking breeding of mosquitoes.
Mr. Nanduri said that a total of nearly ₹2 lakh fine has been imposed during the inspections.
Ramanathapuram
Officials from the Health Department in Ramanathapuram district stated that only seasonal fever cases had been admitted to government hospitals. A total of 219 patients had been admitted across the district. However, none had tested positive for swine flu or dengue fever yet, said officials.
Dindigul
A senior official from the Health Department of Dindigul district said there were nine patients being treated at private hospitals for H1N1. However, there have been no deaths in the district. “We have a high number of fever cases at the Dindigul Government Hospital (350) because there is general fear among the public about swine flu and dengue. We treat them for three days — provide them adequate rest and nilavembu medication. The district has not seen any major complications yet,” she said.
Theni
Collector M. Pallavi Baldev said that there had not been any deaths caused by swine flu or dengue in Theni district yet. She said that with continuous monitoring and inspections, the authorities were able to contain the disease.
She added that students in schools and colleges had been taught to identify dengue hotspots and report it to the district administration.
