Hundreds of fever cases were reported the same time last year

This time last year, Health Department officials were grappling with a dengue outbreak in the district. Last September, Madurai district witnessed an epidemic-like situation, especially in Melur block where hundreds of dengue positive cases were detected, and the grim situation worsened in many pockets the following month.

Officials step up checking to identify illegal connections and to seize motor pumps

A survey conducted by the municipal corporation has revealed that 21 wards are facing drinking water scarcity. Of the 100 wards of the civic body, 79 wards do not experience water crisis while the rest need immediate attention from the authorities. Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa had a meeting on Friday with councillors and Assistant Engineers to discuss the water availability and supply scenario.

“Cleanliness of kitchens in marriage halls is a top priority”

The scope of Food Safety and Standards Act has been extended to marriage halls and caterers also. It is mandatory for every ‘kalyana mandapam’ and those who are engaged in food catering business to register and get proper licence from the food safety wing. At the same time, the cooks employed by catering units should obtain medical fitness certificate to ensure hygiene.

An awareness meeting about the need to get food safety licence was conducted here on Sunday for the owners of marriage halls in the city.

Committee makes note of the “preparedness” shown by it

The manner in which the State Government responded to the outbreak of dengue fever during the recent epidemic is a model that can be emulated elsewhere in the country, B.K. Tyagi, Director, Centre for Research in Medical Entomology (CRME), here has said. A national-level committee formed recently by the Union Health Ministry to investigate into various public health issues had taken note of the “preparedness” shown by the State Government, its Health Department and public participation in tackling dengue outbreak, he said.

Closed-door meeting at Kanyakumari on January 29, 30
The 15-member Central Expert Group constituted by the Union government on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in the wake of protests is looking forward to reaching out to a cross section of people and create a ‘win-win situation' for all.

An internal/closed-door meeting of the central panel whose members are drawn from various disciplines including oceanography, radiation safety, oncology and fisheries is taking place at Kanyakumari for two days, on January 29 and 30, to discuss the strategy forward for winning public confidence and convince people on Kudankulam project's safety.