Six more suspected Chikungunya deaths; toll rises to 68

Alappuzha, Oct 3 (UNI) Six more suspected Chikungunya deaths were reported from Cherthala taluk in Kerala today, taking the toll in the outbreak of fever to 68.

Devaki (65) of Pattanakkad panchayat, Bhargavi (68) of Mararikulam North, Vishwanathan (81) and Shivaraman (71) of Thoravoor ward and Sreedharan (60) of Mararikulam died in their homes while Lalitha (30) from Kadarakapdy died at the Medical College Hospital here.

All were suffering from fever with symptoms of Chikungunya.

Over 600 suspected Chikungunya patients were admitted to the Cherthala taluk hospital.

Meanwhile, Kerala Health Research Welfare Society would conduct on-site tests to diagnose Chikungunya from tomorrow, sources said.

To protest against the alleged inaction on the part of the State Government in containing the outbreak of the fever, the Opposition Congress has called for picketing the National Highway tomorrow.

UNI XR MA AA DKA KN2108