Several cases of cholera and diarrhoea are being reported in Chennai even as the dengue fever that gripped Chennai a few weeks back continues to keep authorities on their toes. Though there have been no deaths reported from dengue outbreak, 3 deaths have been reported due to cholera and diarrhoea so far. The Institute of Communicable Diseases (ICD), Tondiarpet, Chennai has reported increased influx of patients due to cholera and diarrhoea and the state administration on its part has requisitioned for increased supply of prophylactic antibiotics and doxycycline to be administered to patients.
The first outbreak of cholera and diarrhoea was reported from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) attached to the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, Chennai. The IMH is the only institute in the state treating the mentally ill. Recently it had taken in few more patients who were moved from a private illegal mental asylum, which was gutted by a blaze killing 25 inmates, at Erwadi in Ramanathpuram district of the state. The three deaths have been reported from the IMH.
It has been reported that the ICD is running short of doxycycline and other prophylactic antibiotics for treating cholera and diarrhoeal cases, though sources in ICD claimed on the contrary. The state Health Department has requisitioned increased quantities of the products to the ICD. The Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation (TNMSC) has been directed to increase supply of the antibiotics to the ICD besides other government hospitals in Chennai to tackle the menace.