CHENNAI: The State Government on Sunday convened a high-level meeting of officials here in view of the chikungunya epidemic in Kerala. It has planned a slew of measures to prevent the disease spreading in Tamil Nadu.A high-level meeting, chaired by the Chief Secretary, has decided, among other things, to increase surveillance along the State borders and intensify mosquito eradication measures.

Officials who attended the meeting included the Secretary of Social Welfare, Secretary of Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Director of Medical Education and representatives of the Public Health department, a press release said. There was no epidemic in the State and there was no need to panic, officials said.

Surveillance booths would be set up along the State borders. Medical teams had been put on alert to monitor bus and railway stations and airports.

Village health officials had been instructed to focus on controlling the mosquito population. Sufficient stock of medicines were available at all hospitals, including facilities for defogging.

A wing had been set up at medical college hospitals to treat those afflicted with fever, including provision of inpatient facilities.

Advice to people

The public had been advised to ensure that mosquitoes did not breed in open containers of water, such as cement tubs and plastic drums or around waste material such as used tyres, coconut fibre, broken bottles or plastic scrap. Vessels used to store water should be covered with a cloth and cleaned once a week.

Those afflicted with fever could seek help from the nearest government hospital, the press release said.

Health Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran said that the Health department was observing the situation. No new cases were reported in the State.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail