Oct, Nov might see spike, reveals data

In 2017, there was a sharp spike (2,633 cases) in November. In November 2018, more than 1,200 cases were reported, shows data from the Corporation. It was lesser in 2016 in comparison, with 474 and 335 dengue cases reported in October and November respectively. This came down to 118 in March, 2017, but hit a record number in November.

This year, the city recorded only 50 cases in August but the officials are wary about the forthcoming October-November ‘season’. “We are trying to keep dengue cases under control during these months,” said Corporation chief vector control officer S Selvakumar.

Sources said about eight students of a State government institution were among those suffering from dengue, indicating a higher chance of college students catching the virus. Due to this, the Greater Chennai Corporation has started training college students staying in hostels to keeping their campuses free of Aedes mosquitoes that spread dengue fever.

According to Selvakumar, students of four city colleges were imparted training so far. “We provided training to identify Aedes mosquitoes and different stages of their lifecycle. The students would form a group among themselves and conduct source reduction drives in their hostels and colleges,” he added. After finding breeding of these mosquitoes at a central government institution in Taramani during an inspection on Monday, the civic officials served notice to its administration and directed it to clean the premises.

Selvakumar said the Corporation would assist college managements in training students, and added that those interested can contact the civic body.