Present viral fever outbreak not life-threatening: Health Secretary

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Mar 25 (UNI) Maharashtra Public Health Secretary Dr Vijay Satbirsingh, while urging people to maintain cleanliness to prevent spread of viral fever, has ruled out mortality in the present outbreak of fever in various parts of the state, including Marathwada.

Addressing a press conference after touring some of the viral fever-affected rural parts of the district, Dr Satbirsingh said the government has made available adequate medicines with the district health authorities. He urged people to avoid treatment from private practitioners.

The present viral fever outbreak, which has shown symptoms of dengue and chicken gunyia, has been reported from various places in the Indian Sub-Continent, he said, adding that the disease has affected persons of all age groups. The disease, he said, has surfaced after its earlier outbreak in 1963.

The Health Secretary said it has been decided to distribute the medicines through ''anganwadis'' in the rural areas.

According to the latest reports, over 10,000 people from the eight districts in the Marathwada region, have been afflicted with viral fever including dengue and chiken gunyia. Health officials have reported viral fever cases from around 87 places in the Marathwada region. Fogging and cleanliness drives have already been launched in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the authorities have urged people not to store water for over a week, and frequently clean the water tanks to prevent the spread of the diseases.

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