Despite assurances of no outbreak, spike in dengue, leptospirosis cases

At least 65 cases of leptospirosis have appeared in the month of June in Pudukottai, Dindigul and Villupuram districts even after several health camps were organized in these districts by the Health Education Department and Public Health Department.

A total number of 1,101 cases of dengue have been reported in the State so far with at least 115 cases in Dharmapuri and The Nilgiris in June. Though State Health Department officials stress that there is no outbreak of dengue, the rise in the number of dengue cases is significant over the past one month.

Moreover, entomologists warn that it is very likely to witness a spike in the cases of dengue and malaria few weeks after continuous rainfall as it would provide the required breeding ground for mosquitoes. The officials at the State Health Department also said that a majority of leptospirosis cases were reported in children and samples have been sent to the laboratories. The samples of water have also been collected and sent to water laboratories in Tiruchy to check for water contamination.

“The samples are being investigated and the situation is under control. The Health Department is prepared to handle the cases of dengue. Due to scarcity and insufficient supply of water, public stores water in unhygienic way and waste is disposed in improper way. All the cases are being treated symptomatically and source reduction is being done,” said public health director Dr KKolandaisamy.