With 15,000 dengue cases in 2024, Tamil Nadu to set up 1,000 medical camps ahead of monsoon

CHENNAI: Seven people died of dengue in 2024, and more than 15,000 cases were registered in the last ten months, according to health minister Ma Subramanian. The monsoon may bring in more cases of seasonal ailments, including malaria, influenza, and gastrointestinal diseases.
On October 15, the state health department will hold 1,000 medical camps, including 100 in Chennai, to screen people for these ailments and start early treatment.
"We found that people who died had delayed treatment," he said, asking people to avoid self-diagnosis and self-medication.
Doctors have seen a surge in respiratory diseases, Influenza-A, scrub typhus, leptospirosis, and typhoid cases. While most people are treated as outpatients, some may require hospitalisation, public health experts say.
"People must ensure they meet a doctor if they have a fever for more than two days. It is important not to take anything other than paracetamol without medical consultation. Paracetamol too cannot be abused. We see complications, including internal bleeding, when patients with dengue take painkillers," said Additional Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (Disease Control) Dr P Sampath.
"People can call 108 for emergencies and 104 if they have health-related questions," he said.
While local bodies will undertake mosquito control measures, Subramanian asked people to ensure their houses and neighbourhood spaces are clean.
Earlier, he inaugurated a free heart and general medical check-up camp jointly conducted by the Lions Club and Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, in Guindy.
The camp offers free consultation with doctors, tests for blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and heart diseases.