Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today held a meeting of Health department to discuss the situation arising out of 29 dengue-related deaths in Tirunelveli district.

In an official statement here, she said 817 persons in that district had been diagnosed with Dengue and 423 of them cured.

"Following the death of 29 persons, I chaired a meeting today to take immediate steps to control (the spread) of dengue," she said.

Already, various steps were put in place,including deputing experts from Chennai who were involved in both treating the affected and checking the growth of mosquito responsible for spreading the fever, she said.

A high-level panel, comprising a Special Secretary from the Health Department and chiefs of Public Health Department and Health Education among others are monitoring measures being implemented in Tirunelveli, she said adding this had resulted in checking virus from spreading to the nearby districts.

Further, the government would take up conservancy works in the entire Tirunelveli district while it will launch state-wide insecticide efforts for two months, she said.

Awareness campaigns will also be held and medical camps will be held twice a day in Tirunelveli district besides forming special medical wards in Tirunelveli and nearby Tenkasi to treat Dengue-affected, she said.

Further, government will ensure daily supply of drinking water to avoid people storing the same, she said.