35,000 brigade at work, yet 2 more die of dengue

Three-year-old Beneta from Ambattur was admitted to Kilpauk Medical College on Thursday. Stating that she was ‘afebrile’ when admitted, Dean of the Hospital Dr Vasanthamani said, “Her previous reports showed her platelet count as 1.2 lakh. But during her stay here, we did an IGM antibody test which found her platelet count to be 60,000. She also suffered peripheral circulatory failure. On revival, she was put on life saving support system, but died on Saturday.” 

In another case, six-year-old Sanjana from Nellore was admitted to a private hospital in Egmore on Friday. “As she was admitted in a state of severe shock, we were unable to do the IGM test. She died on Saturday. Clinically, her symptoms were those of dengue,” said Dr S Srinivasan, Head of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. 

While the Health Department claims to have engaged around 35,000 workers to create awareness on dengue, cases are still on the rise, with TN recording 8,000 confirmed cases. “I had complained about water collecting in our area in Velachery. But there has been no response from the Corporation. Only after I was diagnosed with dengue did workers come,” said a resident of Velachery. 

“We are keeping public places clean. However, residents must also clean their houses and surroundings. Depending on inaction, we are slapping fines, ranging from Rs 5,000 to 50,000. Legal notices are also being served,” said Dr Kolandaiswamy, Director, Department of Public Health.