By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : About 25,000 people in south and central districts of Kerala have been hospitalised with high fever after being bitten by Ades mosquitoes that spread the chikungunya disease.
Kerala Health Secretary Vishwas Mehta confirmed Thursday that 62 cases of chickungunya have been reported.
While Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki are the worst hit districts, Kollam, Ernakulam and parts of the state capital have also been affected.
"We have been told the number of mosquitoes in these districts is more than what it was in Alappuzha, which had many chikungunya cases last year. The health department has sanctioned Rs. 20 million and fogging machines to check the spread of the disease. Mosquito nets are already being supplied in these districts," Kerala Health Minister P. K. Sreemathi said Thursday.
"A massive campaign for mosquito destruction has begun and June 5 (World Environment Day) June 5 will be observed as a chlorination day and all the wells and water bodies in the state would be sprayed with chlorine," added Sreemathi.
The state government has asked private hospitals to open special wards for patients suffering from fever.