Dengue scare grips Kerala; 493 confirmed cases, three deaths

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a concerning development, the health department on Saturday released the figures for the total people affected by the rapidly spreading dengue in the state. In the last five days, 493 people have been diagnosed with dengue in the state. 158 people were also reported to be infected with H1N1 while 55,830 people have sought treatment in hospitals due to fever in the last five days. Among these, three people died yesterday while undergoing treatment for fever.

Yesterday alone, 11,438 people sought treatment for fever. Checking the figures for the last five days, 1693 people are suspected of dengue fever while 109 people were confirmed with dengue fever on Friday. 9 people have been confirmed with streptobacillosis while 64 people were diagnosed with hepatitis A and 21 people with hepatitis B.

Six people were diagnosed with West Nile fever while jaundice was confirmed in 64. As many as 486 people are under treatment. According to the figures released by the health department, 158 people have been confirmed with Covid-19.

Most dengue cases are reported in Ernakulam. Fever cases are also reported high in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts. In May, 1150 people were infected with dengue.

The government's failure to adeptly conduct the pre-monsoon sanitation program is now blamed for the rapid increase in diseases across the state. Earlier, the Kerala government delayed the allocation of sanitation funds citing the election code of conduct.

The pre-monsoon cleanup in the capital city also ended up in shambles. Most of the fever clinics in the city hospitals are struggling to cope with the rising cases, while the staggering dearth of doctors is worsening the situation.