Friday, January 21 2005 16:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Nagapattinam: Sporadic cases of chicken pox were reported among children accommodated in temporary shelters for tsunami victims in the district, special commissioner for tsunami victims Shanta Sheela Nair said.

Prompt medical attention was provided and the children were quarantined, Nair told reporters last night (Jan 21, 2005).

Still sizable number of medical teams were working in all the camps and there was no need for any anxiety of spread of epidemic in the region, she said.

Out of 15,703 students screened, 15,407 students were suffering from various minor ailments for which medicines were prescribed to them, J Radhakrishnan, District collector said.

A private trust from Chennai had volunteered to invest upto Rs 3 crore for improving facilities at the local Government district hospital, Radhakrishnan said.

Dr Jayam, president of the Indian Paediatrician Association, Chennai said several medical teams from various centres were visiting the victims in the district.

In coordination with the officials of social welfare board, UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) and NGO could provide nutritious food to infants and their mothers for about a month during their stay at temporary shelters.