Health Minister K.G. Arunraj, on Tuesday, said that there was information indicating that the El Nino effect could result in reduced rainfall in Tamil Nadu this year, posing a risk of people storing water and creating conditions for breeding of dengue-causing Aedes mosquitoes.
It is important to understand the unique challenge this year, the Minister told at an inter-department coordination meeting held with officials from various departments to review preparedness measures for prevention of monsoon-related infectious diseases. Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources N. Anand was present.
He said that domestic breeding checkers have a vital role to play. Noting that there may be mosquito breeding sources in and around houses, the Minister said that many may not permit workers to check for such sources. They should be sensitised and made aware, obtain their permission and check and remove potential breeding sources to prevent dengue, he said. There is a risk of acute diarrheal diseases during rain, he said, emphasising on chlorination of drinking water sources.
According to a press release, fever surveillance activities have been further intensified across the State. Fever and infectious diseases are being continuously monitored through 5,781 government and private hospitals. It was also emphasised that 4,083 laboratories operating under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme should upload daily disease-related information and remain vigilant so that immediate containment measures can be taken if any unusual disease outbreak is detected.
A total of 38 District Rapid Response Teams and 385 Block Rapid Response Teams are fully prepared to ensure a rapid response whenever information about disease spread is received. These teams have been instructed to undertake disease confirmation, field inspections, and necessary control measures.
During the meeting, it was also instructed that dedicated fever wards and fever clinics in government hospitals should be fully functional. Authorities were directed to ensure availability of adequate medicines, laboratory facilities, medical equipment, bed capacity, and emergency care arrangements, the release said.
Published – August 05, 2026 12:46 am IST
