Hyderabad: Alarmed by the rising number of deaths due to Dengue fever in Telangana, the State government has set up a five-member team to carry out an audit enabling the Health Department to take measures to eradicate the killer decease. Dengue on Monday claimed another life taking the total number of deaths to 20 in the state. 22-year-old Sahera Begum from Singareni Colony in Champapet, died of dengue haemorrhage fever. Fever hospital registered five cases on Monday taking the total number of people suffering from dengue fever to 46 as on Monday.

A senior official at the Telangana Health Department said that majority of patients suffering from dengue fever are being treated at private hospitals. "Hence, all the details are not available. what all numbers we have are from government hospitals only. Lack of proper infrastructure and equipment to control day-time mosquitoes that's the reason," said the official.

Despite frequent fogging carried out by GHMC, it's not enough to control mosquitoes in the city. The State government is setting up medical camps to provide treatment at colonies and creating awareness among the public. "However, all the areas are not getting adequate focus from the health department and GHMC, observe some councillors. The fogging is done in select areas only. Entire city should be covered to control mosquito menace," said a councilor.

The five-member team has collected details of 17 persons, who died of dengue fever in Bonakal mandal near Khammam. The team is also taking audit into treatment details and exploitation of registered medical practitioners (RMP doctors) and private hospitals. The team is carrying out audit on eight parameters. A member of the team said that Telangana government was keen on controlling dengue fever, which is affecting city and rural areas alike. The team also observed that an RMP doctor in Bonakal administered high dose steroids to dengue patients. The dengue fever is alarmingly spreading in rural areas. For instance, on Monday alone 25 new cases registered in Bonakal mandal.