Date:05/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/05/stories/2006100517021000.htm

Tamil Nadu

`Operation chikungunya' reviewed in southern districts

Staff Reporter

12,500 vacancies to be filled up to intensify the drive

Tuticorin : V.K. Subburaj, Health Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, said steps would be taken on a war footing to fill 12,500-odd vacancies in the department to strengthen `Operation Chikungunya-2006.'

Speaking to mediapersons after reviewing the implementation of `Operation Chikungunya' in nine southern districts here on Wednesday, he said a total of 620 workers had been appointed on a temporary basis in September to check larval operations and breeding of `Aedes aegypti' mosquito that spreads chikungunya.

The Government had allocated Rs.12 crore for anti-larval operations, supply of medicine and thermo fogging. Besides, Rs.12 crore was earmarked for facilitating doctors and their teams to go to remote villages to treat patients.

19,708 cases

Mr. Subburaj said of the total 62,306 suspected cases of chikungunya reported in the State till September 29, as many as 19,708 cases were from Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari.

"The highest number of cases (4,762) was registered in Tirunelveli and the lowest in Madurai (208 cases)," he added.

Answering a question, he said the Government was taking steps to notify chikungunya under Section 52 of Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1959.

"This would enable the department to compile the exact data on the suspected cases reported across the State," he said.

Director of Public Health P Padmanabhan, Collector R Palniyandi, Dean of Tuticorin Medical College R Sarawathy, and Deputy Directors of Health Services from 14 Health Unit Districts, attended the review meeting.