Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 421 cases of viral fever and 21 suspected cases of chikungunya were reported from various places in the district on Saturday, even as the Health Department launched an intensive drive to control the outbreak.

The district health administration organised medical camps at Kuttichal, Poovachal, Kattakada, Veeranakavu, Vembayam and Vellarada from where the highest number of fever cases were reported.

Free treatment

Ayurveda, homoeo and allopathy doctors participated in the camps. Medical examination and medicine kits were offered free of cost.

A medical team despatched by the District Medical Officer G. Prema visited the Vettinad in the Vembayam public health centre limits to assess the situation following the death of two fever victims.

The team led by Kanyakulangara Medical Officer John Varghese and technical assistant T.V. Abhayan recommended an action plan to control the outbreak and intensify preventive measures.

Awareness campaign

The DMO said steps had been taken to intensify vector control activities in the affected areas.

Fogging, spraying and solid waste disposal will be stepped up. The administration has also announced a fever survey to identify the magnitude of the epidemic.

An awareness campaign will also be taken up under the auspices of Ayalkkoottam, Kudumbasree and women's self help groups.

The Federation of Residents Associations, Thiruvananthapuram (FRAT) has decided to organise a district-level campaign to help the authorities tackle the outbreak of viral fever.

FRAT president T.K. Bhaskara Panikker and general secretary Paraniyam Devakumar said here that preventive homoeo medicines would be distributed free of cost to citizens.

They exhorted the public to remain vigilant against dengue fever, chikungunya and viral fever that had wreaked havoc in the district last year.

"The diseases have reared their ugly heads again this year. Once the monsoon intensifies, they are likely to assume epidemic proportions," a FRAT press note said.

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