Kerala in grip of viral fever; 103 deaths reported !

With over 100 deaths being reported since January in Kerala due to various types of fevers, government today appealed to the people to join the government’s mass sanitation drive on a war footing.

As per Health Department sources in Thiruvananthapuram, as many as 103 people, including women and children, have succumbed to various types of fevers including H1N1, leptospirosis and dengue from January till date.

“Of the total 103 deaths, 53 people have died of H1N1 and 13 due to dengue,” the sources said.

Breeding of mosquitoes due to piling of waste was considered to be the main reason for the spread of fever and other communicable diseases, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, adding that social hygiene is essential to keep diseases at bay.

“Political party activists, representatives of local self government institutions and members of socio-cultural outfits and clubs should take part in the sanitation drive on war footing,” CM said.

Stating that the government had already stepped up its sanitation drive with the support of local people, Vijayan said that fever cases have reduced in those places where waste management and mosquito control measures have been implemented effectively.

He said that the government has ensured enough stock of essential medicines and the service of doctors in all government hospitals.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala visited Vijayan at his official residence today and submitted a memorandum with some suggestions to tackle the crisis.

He claimed that 117 people had died due to fever in the state since January.

At least an average of 20,000 persons are arriving at state hospitals seeking treatment for fever.

“Youngsters and children are succumbing to viral fever and there was emergency situation,” he said.

Chennithala also said that the health department had failed miserably in containing the fever and blamed State Health Minister KK Shylaja for not rising to the occasion.

Refuting the charges, the Health Minister said that the opposition was trying to take political mileage over the situation. A united effort is needed to overcome the situation, she said.