Suspected dengue cases in Chennai suburbs

The public health department and local bodies are surveying neighbourhoods and monitoring the condition of patients

There has been an increase in reporting of suspected dengue cases from several local bodies in the southern suburbs.

A majority of the local bodies have one or two suspected cases on their list and are closely monitoring the patients with proper medication.

In Madambakkam, a 21-year-old man suspected to have dengue, and admitted to a private hospital a couple of days ago, was discharged on Sunday.

As he tested positive for dengue, the local body has swung into action, visiting patients and surveying the neighbourhood. Two women from Nanmangalam village under St. Thomas Mount Panchayat Union have tested positive. They were discharged after treatment.

A senior official of the public health department says people need not panic even if they test positive in an Ns1 test — a regular investigation process adopted by many doctors. If the fever persists, they can go for a confirmative ELISA test.

“We have intensified our activities to prevent vector-borne and waterborne diseases. Our staff members are also educating the residents on hygiene and preventing water stagnation,” said the official.

Domestic breeding checkers will check overhead tanks, sumps and water containers for mosquito breeding in and around houses.

“Persons with fever must approach the nearest primary health centre or government hospital. They are not given injection or tablets for body ache as this will aggravate the fever in case it is a case of dengue,” the official said.