Massive programme launched to tackle chikungunya

Chennai, Aug 31 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government has launched a massive programme of destroying mosquito larvae and eggs to contain the outbreak of chikungunya within a month, Health Minister K K S S R Ramachandran told the Assembly today.

Replying to a special mention raised by PMK floor leader G K Mani, he said the Government has launched the programme at a cost of Rs three crore to prevent the growth of mosquitoes, the carries of chikungunya, at all vulnerable places.

He said as many as 25,000 personnel would be involved in the task of completely eradicating the disease within a month before the onset of North-East monsoon.

Of the Rs nine crore, earmarked for procurement of medicines, Rs seven crore had already been utilised, he added.

Stating that 95 per cent of the problem had been tackled in the worst-affected Namakkal district, he said teams had been deputed to all affected areas to take necessary action.

Earlier, Mr Mani said districts bordering Karnataka were worst affected by chikungunya and the number of cases was on the rise, particularly in Mettur.

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