Dengue: 7-yr-old dies, public blame unclean surroundings

The girl was identified asAkshita from Periamet. The child’s parents said she has been suffering from the fever for past two weeks.

Though the fever had reduced initially, her condition worsened within a week of treatment. She was not able to take in any food or fluid, they added.

The local residents and State Health Department officials blamed the civic authorities for not keeping a check on mosquito breeding in the area. After the death of the child was reported, civic workers were seen cleaning and conducting fogging in the locality.

Detailing how the child suffered, Akshita’s grandfather said, “The child had become very weak as she could not eat anything and would vomit even if she consumed any fluids. She complained of abdominal pain and was taken to a private clinic. The doctor directed us to take a scan for further diagnosis. Later, they referred her to Institute of Child Health three days ago.”

The authorities at the Institute of Child Health said that the child was brought in acritical state and was given intensive care.

“The child was bleeding and had severe blood loss. Despite the infusion of medications and blood components, she did not respond to the treatment and was vomiting repeatedly. We have sent her reports for the tests to confirm if it was due to dengue,” said Dr SEzhilarasi, director, Institute of Child Health.

The Greater Chennai Corporation will open special fever wards to treat diseases like dengue, malaria and typhoid from October 21. According to Corporation Commissioner G Prakash, the special fever wards will function at newly inaugurated Chennai Corporation hospitals (Community health centres) in Valasaravakkam and Perungudi. The hospitals are functioning 24X7 and have 100 beds each. They will help in treating patients with seasonal viral fevers, dengue, malaria, typhoid and others. The new wards in Valasaravakkam and Perungudi hospitals will function 24X7 from Monday. Presently, the civic body maintains 140 urban primary health centres, 15 urban community centres and 3 maternity hospitals. Apart from immunisation and other fever treatments, the hospitals run by the civic body provide diagnostic services, HIV consultation, treatment for TB, cancer and diabetes.