The Hindu : National : Secondary complications caused deaths: Anbumani

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Thursday, Oct 05, 2006
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Secondary complications caused deaths: Anbumani

Special Correspondent

"Chikungunya not the direct cause"

Disease has struck after 32 years CMs meet to discuss funds increase

Anbumani Ramadoss

NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday said there was no death due to chikungunya and the reported casualties occurred because of secondary complications.

Talking to reporters here, he said the patients did not die directly of chikungunya but because of complications of the treatment, mostly renal failure.

"Chikungunya has no cure or vaccine except paracetamol. The disease has struck after 32 years and the Kerala government is handling the situation well," he said, adding hygiene and sanitation were necessary to check the spread.

Kerala Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy earlier in the day said 71 persons died of chikungunya in the State.

Dr. Ramadoss, who has convened a meeting of the Chief Ministers of chikungunya-affected States for October 11, said it would discuss funds increase to deal with the situation. "We have given financial aid to the affected States to enhance the awareness campaigns, provided them with additional medicines and even fogging machines to some of them."

The Director-General of Health Services would shortly visit Kerala to assess the situation. Dr. Ramadoss said he could also there. A Health Ministry team is already in the State.

Blaming climatic conditions for the disease re-visiting the country, Dr. Ramadoss said his Ministry was coordinating with the State Governments on the issue. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan have been affected by the chikungunya outbreak.

The disease first broke out in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. After subsiding in these States, it has now spread to Kerala.

Manmohan's kin hospitalised

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two grandsons were on Wednesday admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) with dengue.

Dr. Singh's son-in-law, too, has been admitted to the Institute with dengue-like symptoms.

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