Even as recent cases of dengue in Chennai have brought fear among residents, the district administration has begun a crackdown on buildings that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. In a press release on Wednesday, Chennai District Collector A Shanmuga Sundaram has warned of strict action against non-compliant buildings.
“During inspection, if anti-dengue work officials find that mosquito breeding has occurred in any place, the concerned house-owner may be fined between Rs 5,000 and Rs 1,00,000, depending on the intensity of breeding. It is also warned that the building license of the concerned place may also be recommended for cancellation,” read the statement.
According to one report in the Times of India, the statement also listed a number of places where precautions need to be taken-- all government and private organisations, educational institutions, multi-storied apartments, commercial complexes, bus terminus, railway stations, cinema halls and every building where the public gathers.
The statement also pointed to common breeding grounds for mosquitoes such as, unused tyres, tender coconut shells, broken vessels and tea cups.
In addition to this, the statement also called upon citizens to keep their neighbourhood clean even as the monsoon season arrives. The collector further told house owners to ensure that overhead tanks are cleaned once a week, while trash is transferred to bins.
According to one report in The Hindu, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan instructed private hospitals in the state to adhere to World Health Organisation guidelines for dengue management.
According to the latest figures released by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare up to September 30 this year, Tamil Nadu has reported 2,175 cases of dengue.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease caused by one of four types of the dengue virus. The monsoon season sees a spike in the number of cases of dengue. It is also called “break bone fever” due to the immense joint pains which are often experienced by those presenting with the fever.
The most common symptoms are high grade fever, headache, joint ache, nausea and vomiting. In some severe cases, people may present with ‘haemorrhagic fever’ when they may have symptoms of bleeding gums, blood in stools or urine, or even the appearance of bruises on the skin due to bleeding under the skin.
Treatment is largely through supportive measures to control the fever and to take plenty of fluids. Regular platelet count monitoring is also done for patients admitted in the hospital.