Dengue surge: DC urges Nahan residents to observe ‘dry day’

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Nahan, July 9

In response to the increasing number of dengue cases in the Nahan region, a review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Sumit Khimta. The meeting, organised by the Health Department, aimed to control the spread of dengue and raise public awareness about prevention methods.

Khimta instructed the Nahan Municipal Council to conduct regular fogging in the town to control mosquito populations. He also directed civic bodies in Paonta Sahib and other urban areas to conduct regular fogging operations. The DC highlighted that dengue spreads rapidly from July to November. He reported that 53 cases of dengue had been recorded in July so far, compared to 852 cases in 2022 and 1,044 cases in 2023.

Expressing concern over the rising dengue cases, Khimta urged all residents to observe a “dry day” once a week. On this day, people should ensure that empty containers, flower pots, tyres and other open water storage areas are dry and clean. He emphasised that cleaning these areas once a week can break the mosquito breeding cycle, which takes about seven to eight days in water.

Khimta instructed the Education Department to conduct awareness programmes in all schools across the district. He added that students be educated about cleanliness and dengue prevention during assemblies and other activities. Children should be encouraged to keep their homes clean in addition to their schools.

The DC called on panchayati raj institutions, self-help groups and youth clubs to contribute to dengue prevention efforts. He stressed the importance of collective action in rural areas to fight against dengue.

The DC directed the Nahan Municipal Council to launch a cleanliness campaign in Amarpur Mohalla where the highest number of dengue cases were reported. He instructed the civic body to work with the Health Department officials for this campaign and to start fogging operations in Amarpur Mohalla immediately.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Ajay Pathak outlined various measures taken by the department to prevent dengue. He also appealed to the Education, Child Development and other departments for their support in dengue prevention efforts.

District Programme Officer Dr Vinod Sangal provided a detailed presentation on the department’s dengue prevention and awareness campaigns. The meeting was attended by District Programme Officer Sunil Sharma, Medical Superintendent of Nahan Medical College Dr Amitabh Jain and representatives from the Education, Health and Water Departments, along with Manish Jain from the Rotary Club.

To break breeding cycle

• Observe a “dry day” once a week to ensure that empty containers, flower pots, tyres and other open water storage areas are dry and clean
• Cleaning the areas can break the mosquito breeding cycle, which takes about seven to eight days in water