The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine clarified on Saturday, September 19, 2026, that an Anna University student who passed away on Friday died of scrub typhus, not dengue.
The clarification followed unverified social media posts and television news reports alleging a dengue outbreak on campus that had supposedly caused three deaths. The public health department confirmed that the scrub typhus case was the only reported occurrence of its kind.
The 20-year-old hostel resident initially visited the campus health centre on September 14 reporting symptoms of fever and cold. In accordance with medical protocols, a complete blood count (CBC) was conducted on September 16, the third day of fever. The test recorded a platelet count of 1.38 lakh, which ruled out dengue, according to a campus medical officer. However, the student did not return to collect the diagnostic results.
On September 17, the student presented at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital in Guindy after four days of high-grade fever and was referred the same day to the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital (KMCH), where he later died on Friday.
Medical personnel at the university’s primary health centre noted a high volume of student visits over the preceding 15 days, with roughly 80 students arriving in the mornings and 50 in the evenings exhibiting general symptoms of fever and cold. The medical officer stated that approximately five cases of dengue had been identified on campus over the past few weeks. All affected students were referred for medical care, subsequently recovered, and were discharged.
University authorities stated they have been working to address student concerns and have expanded medical screening protocols. Hostel residents are currently being screened for scrub typhus, dengue, and leptospirosis.
In response to public health concerns, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) established a dedicated screening camp for hostel inmates. Municipal authorities deployed 100 workers to execute sanitation operations, remove accumulated waste and garden debris, and implement mosquito-control measures across the campus. Dr. Sameeran inspected the ongoing sanitation measures and instructed officials to maintain clean premises across the university grounds.
Sources
* The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/death-of-anna-university-student-was-not-due-to-dengue-clarifies-public-health-department/article71484377.ece
Source: The Hindu – National
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
