Incidences of chickenpox come down in district

Madurai: The incidences of chickenpox has come down in the district which was on a high since April, from five cases per day till 15 days back, according to district health department officials.

“The (chickenpox) cases were being regularly reported throughout April and earlier in the year there were two outbreaks. But thankfully, the viral infection has subsided and in the last fortnight. The cases have almost totally subsided,” the source from health department said.

Officials said that there was even an outbreak in Checkanurani and Alanganallur. Doctors said that the prevalence of summer-related diseases like acute diarrhoeal disease (ADD) is also very less in the district this year.

It may be recalled that in early April, experts had told TOI that the prevalence of chickenpox and other diseases was less in Madurai this summer but warned that the trend would be determined only as days progressed.

At the Government Rajaji Hospital, according to medical superintendent (in-charge) Dr P Raja, “Till a few days back one to four cases were being reported on a day-to-day basis, but it has subsided as well.”

Deputy director of health services (Madurai) K V Arjun Kumar said that immediately after the chickenpox cases were being reported, measures were in place to contain it. “Proper monitoring of the disease helped us identify areas which needed attention and we were able to curb the disease from further transmission,” he said.

Dr Arjun Kumar added that other diseases like ADD were not reported much this year as the water supply was regularly being checked for contamination.