No deaths due to chikungunya: Anbumani
Dharmapuri, July 30: There have been no deaths due to chikungunya, a viral fever, in any part of the country so far, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said here today.
A few cases reported as deaths due to the viral fever were actually due to over-dosage of medicines, he told reporters.
Anbumani Ramadoss said people should keep water sources such as wells clean to prevent spread of the disease.
The fever, caused by mosquito bites, has affected a large number of people in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.
The Minister said 3,336 block centres across the country would be modernised under the National Rural Health Mission.
Anti-retroviral therapy will be extended to one lakh people affected by HIV/AIDS through 100 designated centres.
A national drug authority on the lines of the the US Food and Drug Administration will be set up to regulate the drug sector, he said.
Earlier, flagging off a 10 km mini marathon organised by local MP R Senthil here to create awareness about HIV/AIDS, Anbumani Ramadoss said 55 lakh youth had been affected by the virus in the country.
India occupies the second place after South Africa in terms of the number of AIDS cases.
A total of 5,000 youths, including 400 girls, participated in the marathon. (Agencies)
Dharmapuri, July 30: There have been no deaths due to chikungunya, a viral fever, in any part of the country so far, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said here today.
A few cases reported as deaths due to the viral fever were actually due to over-dosage of medicines, he told reporters.
Anbumani Ramadoss said people should keep water sources such as wells clean to prevent spread of the disease.
The fever, caused by mosquito bites, has affected a large number of people in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.
The Minister said 3,336 block centres across the country would be modernised under the National Rural Health Mission.
Anti-retroviral therapy will be extended to one lakh people affected by HIV/AIDS through 100 designated centres.
A national drug authority on the lines of the the US Food and Drug Administration will be set up to regulate the drug sector, he said.
Earlier, flagging off a 10 km mini marathon organised by local MP R Senthil here to create awareness about HIV/AIDS, Anbumani Ramadoss said 55 lakh youth had been affected by the virus in the country.
India occupies the second place after South Africa in terms of the number of AIDS cases.
A total of 5,000 youths, including 400 girls, participated in the marathon. (Agencies)