Tamil Nadu Hospitals Overwhelmed by Dengue Surge

Hospitals throughout Tamil Nadu are augmenting their fever treatment facilities in anticipation of the Northeast Monsoon. This preparedness is driven by a significant rise in dengue and other viral infections, leading to increased patient numbers in outpatient departments. In Chennai, the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children is establishing a new 60-bed ward specifically for children experiencing fever, aiming to alleviate pressure on existing facilities. Many private hospitals in the city are witnessing a surge in respiratory infections, influenza, and dengue cases, resulting in crowded wards and extended patient wait times for beds, some exceeding 12 hours. Despite the strain on resources, doctors note that most infections observed are currently mild. As of Sunday, Tamil Nadu had documented approximately 19,000 dengue cases with nine related deaths. Districts such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu are reporting a higher incidence of fever cases. The state has conducted over 2.24 lakh dengue tests across more than 5,800 medical facilities and deployed over 26,300 health workers for surveillance. Chennai alone reported over 3,000 fever cases, including 180 dengue cases, in the first 20 days of September. The Greater Chennai Corporation has intensified mosquito control operations, including home visits, stagnant water removal, larvicide application, and fogging, particularly in areas with higher reported fever cases. Government hospitals statewide are also preparing additional beds, fever wards, testing capabilities, and medical supplies. The Health Department characterizes the current dengue figures as consistent with seasonal patterns rather than an exceptionally severe outbreak. Continuous monitoring and maintenance of additional capacity are ongoing as the monsoon season approaches.