Fever clinics go non-operational as number of outpatients drop

For instance, there has not been even a single case of dengue in the past one month, said government hospital officials, adding that fever clinics were remaining non-operational as there are less than 10 outpatients in a week these days.

Now, added State Health Department officials, there is no cause to be alarmed over suspicious fever cases and there are low chances of fever outbreaks in the city.

“Fever cases are comparatively low this year. We do not have any positive cases of dengue,” said Dr R Jayanti, dean, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Even the sporadic cases that reach the government hospitals are being managed as outpatient cases, added Dr Jayanti, assuring that there was no scare of suspicious fever.

Though there has been an increased prevalence of fever cases among children below 14 years earlier this month, the overall numbers have reduced in past two months, doctors said. “Fever cases have reduced considerably in past one month at Institute of Child Health. We received only about five cases this week,” pointed out consultant paediatrician at ICH, Dr Mohan Kumar. He added that cold and cough were common among children during this time.

In the last month, there have been less than 20 persons approaching them with fever, added authorities at Stanley Medical College Hospital.

However, even though the substantial fall in the number of cases have rendered the fever clinics largely non-operational when it comes to round-the-clock functioning, the emergency care facilities are prepared to tackle if any cases surface, said Dr P Vasanthamani, dean, Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. “Fever cases might increase after rains. However, currently there is a persistent decline in the fever cases,” she said.