20-year-old from Tiruvallur becomes latest victim of dengue

Lavanya V, a resident of Kattupakkam in Tiruvallur district, was admitted to a private hospital in Poonamallee after suffering from viral fever last week. But as her condition did not improve, she was taken to Apollo Hospitals in Vanagaram in a critical state.

There, she was diagnosed to be dengue positive and was admitted to the intensive care unit. However, Lavanya did not respond to the treatment and died on Friday night, say hospital authorities.

Her parents alleged that stagnant rainwater facilitated breeding of mosquitoes that has led to a large number of fever cases being reported in the locality.

After the recent rains, districts including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Coimbatore and Dharmapuri are recording a large number of dengue cases. Though officials claim that the fever is in control, the numbers are spiking at government hospitals.

So far, Tamil Nadu has reported more than 3,800 dengue cases, including more than 100 cases in Chennai and Tiruvallur. There are reportedly about seven dengue deaths in the State, with at least three in the last week alone. However, the Health Department says the number can be formally announced only after completion of death audits.

The fever clinics in most government hospitals in the city are receiving more than 200 cases every day. The government hospitals here have more than 20 dengue positive cases, which are reported to be stable. The Institute of ChildHealth is receiving more than 300 cases daily.

However, hospital authorities claim that the infection is in control and adequate treatment facilities including IV fluids, blood components and medications are available.

“The hospitals are undertaking dengue awareness activities and local bodies have also been instructed to ensure that there is no breeding of mosquitoes. The cases are expected to reduce gradually,” said Dr K Kolandaisamy, Director of Public Health.