Dengue testing has increased in Chennai, with more than 4,500 cases reported this year

Principal Secretary to Government, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Darez Ahamed and GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran inspecting a special medical camp for fever prevention held at Teynampet zone on Sunday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

With dengue cases crossing 4,500 in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) areas, the health department has ordered that all fever cases be tested, Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Health and Family Welfare Darez Ahamed said on Sunday. He added that no dengue deaths have been reported.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting preventive measures against dengue fever in Teynampet zone, Mr. Ahamed said the state has so far recorded 20,000 cases and that all dengue cases have been tested to identify and manage the disease.

In Chennai this year, 16,254 tests were conducted and 4,592 people were affected by dengue fever. The number of cases recorded in September was 1,293. More than 100 medical camps were held every day and 3,703 workers were deployed for mosquito eradication, Mr. Ahamed said.

Mr Ahamed inspected a medical camp in East Namasivayapuram and mosquito eradication work, including larvicide spraying by drones, along the Coou. He also went door to door on Sundays handing out leaflets.

GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran said the incidence of dengue fever is gradually decreasing and intensive prevention work will continue.

He said desilting of 44 waterways and biological solutions based on drones are being carried out.

Principal Secretary, Ministry of Government, Health and Family Darez Ahamed with Corporation Commissioner GS Sameeran went door to door at 3rd Street, East Namasivayapuram, under Teynampet Zone, reviewed preventive measures against dengue fever and distributed information pamphlets to people on Sunday (October 4, 2026). | Photo credit: Special arrangement

A total of 1,400 km of the 1,600 km of stormwater drains identified as blocked had been desilted, he said. The remaining 200 km will be completed within a week, he added. Chennai has more than 3,000 km of storm water drains, apart from 250 km under the Ministry of Roads. Priority works under the Mamallan Reservoir project are slated for completion in October, he said.

Dr. Sameeran said that ₹100 crore has been allocated for monsoon prevention works and there was no dearth of funds for these works.

For long-term capital works, the GCC plans to use foreign financial assistance schemes, including those of the World Bank and JICA, he said.

The commissioner further said that fines totaling ₹ 7.2 lakh were imposed last month on business establishments, organizations and houses for not clearing garbage.

Published – 05 Oct 2026 03:00 IST