Grappling with Dengue

Already grappling with the outbreak of swine flu, Tamil Nadu has a new healthcare headache – a possible outbreak of a dengue epidemic. It has already claimed as many as 40 lives in the southern districts of the state and has shown signs of spreading into the rest of the state.

What has baffled healthcare experts, however, is the timing of the outbreak. The disease generally breaks out during the monsoon months and so many dengue deaths at the peak of summer is considered rather unusual.

Poongothai Aladi Aruna, a former DMK minister, however says there is no need to panic just yet. "Since only two out of 100 dengue patients will be in danger, there is no need for people to panic as yet. Children suffering from dengue can be easily saved if doctors can prevent water loss from their body," she said.

Aruna was however critical of the efforts of the state government, saying, “The Tamil Nadu government has failed to create awareness about dengue among people. Many general physicians, other than paediatricians, should have adequate knowledge about dengue. People should keep their surroundings clean and maintain hygiene. Since dengue spreads through mosquitoes, people should not allow water to stagnate. The government also should take immediate measures to create awareness through pamphlets and posters.''

Dr Arunmozhi, joint director of medical services, agrees. Speaking to TSI, Arunmozhi said, "Body and back pain, muscle and joint aches and fever are some of the symptoms of dengue. Some doctors in private hospitals wrongly discharge children once fever comes down and this has caused many deaths among dengue-infected children."

Lack of paediatric ventilators in many government hospitals have added to the death rate, says an official on condition of anonymity. "Three months ago the Tamil Nadu directorate of medical sciences had decided to buy ventilators from a particular company through a tender but failed to implement it," he says.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said in a statement that 1,466 persons are hospitalised with dengue and steps are being taken to keep the menace under control as the health department is working in full swing.

Dr Manohar, dean of the Medical College in Tirunelveli told TSI that the affected persons were getting normal and the mortality rate was decreasing.

Meanwhile, the central government has sent a six-member committee including Dr Harish Kumar Sharma, renowned paediatrician of Safdarjung Hospital from New Delhi, to study the situation. Spilt into three teams, the committee visited many hospitals for inspection probing the reasons for the high death rate due to dengue. Their report will be submitted soon to union minister of state for health and family welfare.