more-in Fever patients continue to pour into hospitals across the State and the situation is not expected to ease at least till July, public health experts said. Though the dengue case numbers showed a slight dip, 10 lives were lost to fever and related illnesses in the State on Wednesday. Two fever deaths were reported from Ernakulam and Malappuram, while six suspected dengue deaths were reported from Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram. One suspected H1N1 death was reported from Malappuram, while one person was reported dead following chicken pox in Kollam. A total of 24,318 persons sought treatment for fever in various public sector hospitals in the State on Wednesday, out of which 795 suspected cases and 138 confirmed cases of dengue have been reported. Of the 138 confirmed dengue cases, 74 are from Thiruvananthapuram. Kannur showed a sudden increase in cases on Wednesday, reporting 22 cases. Though the Health Department’s official figures confirm only 13 deaths as due to dengue, 52 persons are suspected to have died of dengue so far in the State. The total number of confirmed dengue cases reported till date in the State is 7,473, while the suspected cases number 26,384. Health Minister K. K. Shylaja held a review meeting with senior officials on Wednesday and stressed on the need to improve treatment facilities to bring down mortality in hospitals and the importance of adhering to treatment protocols. A decision has been taken to make internal arrangements to extend working hours of the OP clinics and laboratories in all government hospitals. Evening OP has been suggested in major hospitals and a directive is likely to be issued to government doctors to work beyond their normal hours till the situation eases. The department has also sought more temporary hands to manage the current crisis. The lull in the monsoon rain and intermittent rain followed by long sunny spells has led to a sudden spurt in cases, experts said. Torrential rain would wash away the mosquito larvae but the current weather is conducive for vector breeding, which called for renewed activities in the field, they pointed out.

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