Chennai: With fever cases surging across Tamil Nadu following the seasonal rains, the health department has stepped up surveillance and ordered the setting up of dedicated fever wards in govt hospitals to manage the influx of patients and prevent severe cases.Health officials said cases of dengue, chikungunya, typhoid, leptospirosis and respiratory infections have been reported, with the seasonal rains creating favourable conditions for the spread of vector-borne and water-borne diseases. However, the current surge in fever cases is lower than that reported during the corresponding period last year.“We have instructed govt hospitals to set up fever wards and introduce triage so that patients are categorised as having mild, moderate or severe fever. Surveillance has also been intensified across the state,” said Dr A Somasundaram, director of public health and preventive medicine.The department has directed health inspectors to strengthen hospital surveillance in both govt and private hospitals. Community-level surveillance is also being intensified to identify fever clusters early and ensure timely intervention.“As part of integrated vector control measures, officials have been asked to focus on solid waste management, sanitation, removal of discarded tyres and other potential mosquito-breeding sites, besides using mosquito nets, insecticides and larvicides wherever required. The situation is being reviewed daily,” said DPH.Fever management is being given particular emphasis to prevent deaths. Patients with severe symptoms will be shifted to intensive care, while those with moderate fever will be monitored through vital charts, including regular checks of temperature and pulse. Mild cases will be kept under observation, and only necessary tests would require.Doctors are also being trained on fever management protocols. Officials said children, senior citizens and pregnant women remain particularly vulnerable and require closer monitoring.Similarly, even the private hospitals witness a surge in the fever cases, where most cases have been viral fevers and respiratory infections, while dengue, typhoid and stomach infections linked to contaminated food or water have also been reported.Dr Vinod Prem Anand, senior consultant, internal medicine and diabetes, MGM Healthcare Malar, said, “every monsoon we see an increase in fever cases, but it is not significantly different from last year and may even be slightly lower. Fever alone cannot determine the underlying infection. Testing is advised when necessary.”He urged people to seek medical attention if fever persists for several days or is accompanied by breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe headache, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, confusion, reduced urination, bleeding or dehydration.
