Viral fever: 36 die in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, June 9 (UNI) A total of 36 persons have died in Kerala due to viral fever in the last six months and the Government was fighting hard to contain the spread of the epidemic in the State, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said today.

The deaths have been reported from Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts, he told reporters here after an all-party meeting convened for discussing the viral fever menace.

Asked if the deaths were due to dengue or chikungunya, he said the deaths were related to viral fever.

With the viral fever spreading throughout the State and increase in number of cases each day, a cleanliness drive would be organised in the State for a week from June 12 to contain the spread of the epidemic. The Defence, police and various NGOs would be part of the drive, Mr Achuthanandan said.

Free ration would be supplied for a month in the affected regions, he said, adding that the Government was also considering payment of relief for the relatives of the dead.

Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy promised to extend his full support to the cleanliness drive.

Health Minister P K Sreemathy, Mr Chandy and leaders of various parties were present at the all-party meet.

UNI