Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP) 

Mangaluru, Aug 29: Dengue claimed two lives in Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday August 28. While the death of one among them has been confirmed as having been caused by dengue fever, the other succumbed to suspected dengue. Both the victims were from Thokkottu. 

The deceased are Jayaprakash Gatti (41) from Thokkottu Kumpala, and Sumathi (36) from Thokkottu Chembugudde. 

Jayaprakash had been admitted into three different hospitals for treatment of dengue, but his life could not be saved. District malaria control officer, Dr Navinchandra, said that Sumathi's death was caused by bacterial infection and she did not exhibit any symptoms of dengue, and also that her platelet count was over one lac. The locals however expressed the suspicion that she died of dengue. 

In view of two deaths from a specific area, health department officers and other staff visited the spot and undertook fogging operation. They also asked the people living here not allow water to stagnate. 

With Gatti's death, the number of deaths in the district due to confirmed dengue fever has reached four. Over six have died due to suspected dengue but the health department has not confirmed the causes of their death as dengue.