The spread of viral fever in Kerala [Images] continued to cause concern as two more deaths were reported from worst-hit Pathanamthitta district on Tuesday, taking the state-wide toll to at least 52 in the past two months.

State health authorities stepped up efforts to contain the problem with the help of medical teams from the armed forces, which have been active since Sunday.

Fresh cases of fever were reported from Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kollam and Kozhikode districts, where
people with symptoms of chikungunya and other types of fever continued to pour into hospitals.

Health department sources said 26,000 people came to hospitals across the state to seek treatment on Tuesday.

The count of patients in government hospitals included 1,441 in Kottayam and 556 in Pathanamthitta. Nearly 400 cases of suspected chikungunya were reported from different parts of Kerala.

Army medical teams moved their camps to new areas in the disease-hit districts, where they used mobile service units to
reach interior areas.

A week-long sanitation drive was launched across Kerala with the participation of political parties, youth outfits and NGOs.

Health Minister P K Sreemathi directed authorities down the line to remain alert in view of the monsoon gaining momentum and bringing widespread rains all over the state.