Madurai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High court on Thursday directed the principal secretary, Health department to file a detailed district-wise report on number of people who have been infected and who have died due to dengue and Chikangunya fevers in the State.

A division bench comprising Justices K Sasid-haran and G R Swaminathan issued this order based on a petition filed by advocate K K Ramesh who alleged that the government was not taking steps to control the mosquito breeding which ca-uses these diseases.

Despite the High court having passed various orders to take effective steps to eradicate these diseases, the authorities were not taking action to safeguard the lives of the people, he contended. After recording his arguments, the court asked the state government to file the report.