Shimla: NCDC team visits plague-prone areas

Shimla, April 19

A team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Bengaluru, visited Rohru to oversee the surveillance of plague that broke out in the area in 2002. “It’s a routine visit to monitor the continuous surveillance programme in the area.

Apart from monitoring, the NCDC team also offers guidance and technical support to the local team for an effective monitoring,” said Dr Rakesh Pratap, Chief Medical Officer, Shimla.

Some parts of Rohru were hit by the outbreak of plague in 2002, which was controlled by the combined efforts of the state government and the NCDC. “Ever since, the area is under the constant surveillance of the state authorities, the NCDC and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,” he added. Dr Pratap said there were four healthcare personnel, who were trained for plague surveillance by the NCDC, posted in Rohru.

To keep plague at bay, Dr Pratap advised people to stay away from wild rodents and, sick and dead animals, especially in those areas where the possibility of the outbreak of plague was more. He further said rodents should not be allowed inside homes and flea bites should be treated effectively in areas prone to the disease.