5 more suspected Chikungunya deaths in Cherthala take toll to 62

Alappuzha, Oct 2 (UNI) Five more people died of suspected Chikungunya fever in Cherthala taluk here today, taking the toll to 62.

While Ashokan, 46, of Thuravoor panchayat and Chellappan, 72, of Mararikulam North died at the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital, Pavithran, 51, of Panavally panchayat, T K Ponnammal, 65, of Thykkattussery panchayat and Kesav Pillai, 82, of Cherthala municipal area, died at home.

Meanwhile, state finance minister K P Rajendran, health minister P K Shreemathy and BJP state president Shridharan Pillai today visited the Cherthala taluk hospital, where more than 400 patients are admitted.

Criticising the government for not taking adequate steps to contain the disease, Mr Pillai said the official machinery had ''completely failed'' to tackle the situation.

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