Sirsa launches drive against mosquito-borne diseases

A meeting of the District Malaria Control Committee, led by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Virendra Sahrawat, was held here on Tuesday. The meeting aimed to review plans of different government departments to stop the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. The ADC announced that a special campaign in this regard would begin on September 25. If mosquito larvae were found anywhere, the person responsible would be fined, he added, stating that all departments should clean coolers and water containers every Friday, which would be observed as “dry day”. Sahrawat said all departments should work together to fight the diseases.

Cleanliness and awareness were very important, he added, suggesting that schools teach children about malaria and dengue during morning prayers or in classrooms.

Children could then share the information with their families and neighbours, he added.

He said Anganwadi workers and ASHAs should go door to door to educate women.

They should tell people not to let water collect in coolers, flower pots, old tyres, or on rooftops, as these were common breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The ADC told the District Development and Panchayat Officer to ensure regular cleaning of drains in villages and to arrange fogging facilities.

He said keeping urban and rural areas clean was the duty of all departments. Civil Surgeon Dr Mahendra Kumar Bhadu, District Malaria Officer Dr Gaurav Arora, and Epidemic Specialist Dr Sanjay also shared information about the dengue situation and how to prevent such diseases.