Campaign intensified against vector-borne diseases

The district health authorities have intensified campaign against dengue and other vector-borne diseases by identifying the hotspots and doing fogging on a regular basis.

This week’s emphasis would be in the areas which were once the hotspots in the city. According to health authorities, Punjab Roadways workshop came in the hotspot category for a couple of times. Apart from it, Jahajgarh, Maqboolpura quarters and Railway Colony were among other hotspots. The Chheharta police station and Company Bagh, which were earlier in the hotspot category, would also be closely examined.

At present, there are at least 15 hotspots. The Health Department has constituted 15 teams that would be keeping track of fogging and accumulation of water. The teams have been inspecting affected colonies, checked for mosquito breeding sites and destroyed larvae found at multiple locations.

“We receive instructions from the state government every week for carrying out campaigns in the particular areas,” said District Epidemiologist Dr Harjot Kaur.

This year, Amritsar witnessed 63 cases of dengue none that’s much lesser than the previous year when over 100 cases were detected.

The majority of the reported cases are from high-density residential areas, prompting intensified surveillance and field action. She pointed out that while the number of new cases has begun to stabilise, continuous community cooperation remains essential to prevent further spread. She said prevention of mosquito breeding was the most crucial step in controlling dengue.

“Wherever water collects, mosquitoes will breed. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that water does not accumulate. Wearing full-sleeve clothing and using mosquito repellents can also help protect against dengue,” said Dr Harjot Kaur, adding that field teams are continuously visiting hotspots and carrying out anti-larval measures along with public awareness.

“Dengue is a viral illness spread through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which breeds in clean water and completes its life cycle within a week. This is why the campaign is conducted every Friday — to break the mosquito life cycle at the larval stage and prevent its transition into adult mosquitoes,” she explained. Common symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, pain behind the eyes, vomiting and bleeding from nose, mouth or gums.