Officials suspended after two viral fever deaths in TN

Madurai, Oct 10 (UNI) Persuant to the death of two girls due to viral fever, the Tamil Nadu Health Department today suspended two officials for 'dereliction' of duty.

Health Services Deputy Director (Madurai district) A Palanisamy issued the suspension orders to Health Inspector Yahoob Ali and Taluk Supervisor (Health) Chandrasekaran this afternoon for 'not informing the administration of the outbreak of viral fever and failing to take preventive measures'.

The death of M Veeralakshmi (8), a third standard student and M Ranjani (4), both hailing from O Alangulam village here, had aroused public fury. Instead of taking medical treatment, the villagers complied with the advice of a local god-woman Karuppayee, who restricted them to take them to hospital. They were advised to follow traditional treatments of applying neem paste on the body and tying neem leaves in front of the houses. The children died a couple of days ago.

Even after two deaths due to the fever, the villagers hesitated to go for treatment. However, when the news spread, the administration sent medical teams to the village. The teams, to their dismay, found most of them suffering from viral fever and it had spread to Periyalangulam, a neighbouring village. All the affected people were given treatment at their houses.

Blood samples were sent for clinical test today. The situation was now under control. The villagers believing in superstitions refused to take medicines branding it as a 'sin,' officials said.

Meanwhile, the god woman was reported absconding, fearing police action.

UNI