Suspected dengue toll rises to 17 in TN district

A woman succumbed to suspected dengue in the district, taking to 17 the toll due to vector borne diseases and 'mysterious' fever cases in the district, especially in Rajapalayam belt, in the last fortnight.
The 23-year old woman of Rajapalyam died today at Palayamkottai Government Hospital where she had been shifted after her condition worsened, health department officials said.
Since December 22, seventeen persons had died either due to suspected dengue or mysterious fever, they said.
The officials said they were monitoring the situation closely, and were taking series of steps to curb the mosquito menace by visiting various areas.

The sudden spurt in the number of deaths due to suspected dengue has triggered tension in Rajapalayam, which accounted for majority of the fatalities, with angry residents clashing with police yesterday during a road roko.