Central team deputed to Tamil Nadu to probe outbreak of dengue

The team was deputed on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met him and told him about the problem, the sources said.

Tamil Nadu has witnessed a spurt in the dengue cases and the state government has been trying measures to control it.

Panneerselvam, after meeting Modi, told reporters that the prime minister gave a patient hearing on the steps taken by the state government to check the spread of dengue.

"PM has been apprised about the steps taken by the government and he has ordered a central government's medical team to visit the state to assess the situation," he said.

As part of efforts to control the spread of dengue, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to undertake a 15-day cleanliness drive in the state.

It has warned of action against owners whose unclean premises could lead to mass breeding of mosquitoes spreading the disease.