Caught on wrong foot: Dengue larvae spotted near Jalandhar MC office

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 10

A day after The Tribune highlighted the issue of accumulation of water by the fountain just opposite the MC building here, dengue larvae on Friday were collected by Health Department teams from near the front of the MC building premises.

We have been carrying out sanitary drives across the district, the surroundings have been clean. Heavy rain had taken place in the last two days. We will get all the fountains checked. Fogging has also been conducted in almost 70% of the city. I was not aware of water accumulation near the MC premises. — Dr Shri Krishan, MC health officer

The premises of the Company Bagh was thoroughly cleaned today and dewatered. Dengue larvae were found in a pot right by the MC fountain. While there was water accumulated in the MC fountain well, no larvae were found there. We have also carried out spraying of disinfectants to clear the premises of any kind of larvae. —  Dr Aditya Paul, Epidemiologist

Two samples of dengue were collected from near the MC building. Acting on the reports of insanitary conditions near the MC office, the teams on Friday carried out sampling and spraying on the premises of the Company Bagh where water was accumulated in a non-functional fountain

Dengue larvae were not found in the fountain, but were present in pots near it where water had accumulated. The drive was also carried out as per the Friday Dry Day drive held by the Health Department. Water was also found collected in tyres, under benches and on the roundabout around the fountain. Algae were found accumulated right on the surface of accumulated water in the fountain and various pots, fountain tanks and fixtures in the area were found filled with water.

The sanitary wing of the MC is responsible for carrying out sanitation drives across the city, but apparently officials forgot to check their own nearby surroundings.

Staff shortage

While there are 23 posts of sanitary inspectors in the MC, only seven have been filled yet. Teams have, however, been divided across various areas of the city where they are responsible for carrying out regular drives.

Meanwhile, six cases of dengue have been reported in Jalandhar so far. They were reported from Kartarpur, Nakodar, Chogawan village, Bhargo Nagar, Sodal Chowk and Phillaur. While the six confirmed dengue cases were reported at the DMC, Ludhiana, the Health Department intimated that during September and August, health teams had collected as many as 37 samples of suspected dengue patients in the district.

Of the 37 Jalandhar samples, taken in the months of August and September, none came back positive. Of the 37, 29 are government samples while eight are private.

Dry Day Friday

In its regular action on dengue prevention in the district, the Health Department also carried out Dry Day Friday drives elsewhere. Various district fountains, basti and other areas.

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