The Department of Health and Family Welfare informed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday that 13 persons had died of dengue and 27 of swine flu in the State. In a preliminary report submitted to the High Court Bench, the Health Department said of a total 3,440 persons with dengue, 13 had died. Of the 1,745 cases of swine flu, 27 patients died.
The report said clinics, laboratories and diagnostic centres were being set up in government hospitals to detect and control the spread of dengue and swine flu.
A Division Bench of Justices K. K. Sasidharan and P. D. Audikesavalu, taking note of the submission, sought a comprehensive report on the efforts taken by the State government in keeping diseases under control. The petitioner, K. K. Ramesh of Madurai, sought a direction to the government to take effective steps to control dengue and swine flu. He also wanted hospitals to be stocked with adequate medicines.
The court adjourned the case for further hearing on November 27.
