Death toll in Tripura rises to 13

Agartala, May 12: At least 13 people have died so far due to various summer diseases in different places of North Tripura since the past fortnight, official sources said today.

Chicken pox, measles, gastroenteritis and fever had taken a serious turn in Longtari valley and Gandacharra sub-division. The state government had already sent two separate medical teams and dispatched medicines consignments to the areas by helicopter, the sources added.

Most of the victims were children belonging to the tribal community living in unhygienic conditions and inadequate civil amenities, officials informed newspersons.

Director of the Tripura Health Services Dr Jagannath Muhuri said the problem got complicated due to incessant rains and as water-borne diseases spread quickly over the hilly areas.

''We have set up health camps and special check-up programmes in remote areas of the state while security forces, including BSF, CRPF, Asom Rifles and Tripura State Rifles, had been deployed in interior locations are also organising such camps urgently,'' Dr Muhuri added.

UNI