Aarti Dhar

NEW DELHI: The country is in the grip of a severe spell of communicable diseases, with over 270 people having died of malaria and 15 of dengue. Chikungunya cases have also increased over last year's figures.

The government says it is prepared to deal with any adverse situation.

"We have revamped our Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme and are focussing on endemic districts. The budgetary allocation for dealing with these diseases has also been enhanced,' Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told The Hindu on Monday.