Panic continues as three more fever deaths reported in districts

COIMBATORE, SALEM, THENI: An 18-year-old youth from Odisha, who was working in Periyanaykanpalayam, died after suffering from fever for four days. He was brought to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital on Thursday morning and in less than 30 minutes, he died. He was treated at a private hospital before being admitted to CMCH.

The number of fever cases treated at CMCH as on Thursday was 190 in comparison to 128 on Wednesday. But the number of dengue infection cases, the hospital claimed, came down from 28 to 9 cases.
“We are struggling with the dengue cases in the State. It requires consistent efforts to prevent creation of breeding sources in and around our houses and office spaces,” said K Santosh Kumar, City Health Officer, Corporation.

In another case in Salem, a nine-year-old boy succumbed to viral fever on Thursday. Kavianand, son of Raja from Koraiyanur near Mecheri, was a class IV student in a private school in Mettur. On Wednesday, he contracted fever, began running a high temperature and was admitted to government Mettur hospital, from where he was referred to Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital (SGMKMCH). However, the boy succumbed on Thursday.

Meanwhile, cracking whip on quacks, a team of health officials led by Mallur Taluk Medical Officer Magitha inspected a clinic on Veerapandi-Mallur Main Road and found a siddha doctor prescribing allopathic medicines. The doctor was identified as Kandhasamy (70). The Mallur police registered a case and arrested the accused.

In Theni, a 13-year-old girl succumbed to fever at the Government Medical College Hospital late on Wednesday. The girl was identified as Alageswari, a resident of South Street, Thevathanapatti. She was studying in Class VII and was suffering from fever for the past few days.

In the initial stages of the fever, she was taken to the primary health centre in Thevathanapatti, from where she was referred to Government Medical College Hospital in Theni on Wednesday afternoon. Despite intensive treatment, she died on the same day. Hospital authorities said they suspected the deceased suffered from a brain problem. They added that the girl also suffered from regular bout of fits.