Dept readies to battle dengue sting

Dushyant Singh Pundir
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 10

At least six cases of dengue and eight cases of malaria have been reported from the city so far this year.

An officer of the Health Department said 13 cases of dengue and 15 cases of malaria were reported during the corresponding period last year. No case of chikungunya and zika has been reported so far this year, whereas four cases of chikungunya were reported last year. There was no case of zika last year.

The department has sent notices to 1,094 households and show-cause notices to 20 government institutions on finding mosquitogenic conditions.

In its efforts to combat the menace of vector-borne diseases, the Health Department has conducted sprays at 415 locations, 351 open areas and 4,538 rooms. The department has also carried out need-based fogging with hand-held devices at 178 locations, 176 open areas and in 2,670 rooms and in 111 areas of the city with heavy machines.

The officer said the department was fully geared up for prevention and control of malaria and other diseases, as all logistics, including fogging machines, chemicals and equipment, were in place to deal with any situation.

To create awareness among the masses, the department has started a house-to-house survey and is also distributing a comprehensive pamphlet on dos and don’ts on prevention of vector-borne diseases. The department has also launched a jingle on FM radio on ways and means to be adopted to prevent 

  such diseases. The officer said areas such as Mauli Jagran, Mani Majra, Dhanas, Dhanas Milk Colony, Hallo Majra and Burail were under special observation of the department.

  Due to sustained efforts of the department, dengue cases had reduced considerably in 2018, he said, and added that 301 cases of dengue were reported in 2018 in comparison to 1,956 cases in 2017.

Similarly, 44 malaria cases were reported in 2018, whereas 114 cases were reported in 2017. Also cases of chikungunya came down to four last year in comparison to 52 cases reported in 2017, he added.

DOs

• Remove water from coolers and other small containers at least once a week
• Keep overhead tanks covered
• Drain off water from the back tray of refrigerator every week
• Use mosquito nets or mosquito repellents while sleeping during daytime

DONT’s

• Do not wear clothes that expose your arms and legs, especially during the rainy season
• Children should not be allowed to play in shorts and half-sleeved clothes
• Do not allow water to stagnate in bird feeding pots
• Do not leave toilet pots uncovered while going out of station
• Do not use vessels below flowerpots during these months as water stagnates in them if left unchanged

                Year 2018 2019

• Dengue        13  6
• Malaria        15  8
• Chikungunya 4  0

(Jan to July 10)