Fresh plan to counter dengue in State

The review meeting that focussed on measures to combat dengue was attended by Commissioners of 12 city Corporations, 124 municipal corporations and 528 panchayats. 

In order to prevent breeding of the aedes mosquito and other vectors, households in the city will be divided into ‘circles’, comprising 500 households per circle. Beyond the city limit, 300 households will constitute a circle. 

Teams will be formed to take anti-dengue measures extensively in each circle. Special groups have been formed to visit each household and ensure there are no mosquito breeding sources. Purified drinking water only should be used,  and the minimal amount of chlorine should be 0.2 mg.

Some of the measures to combat mosquito breeding include adding chlorine in all open wells and maintaining of water tanks. The tyres, coconut shells and open tanks in the houses shouldn’t have water stagnation. The rainwater harvest tank should be cleaned daily and fogging should be done regularly.

Water stagnated on empty, unused lands because of garbage accumulation by the public, should be cleaned and sprayed with pesticide. There should be enough smoke generating vehicles, which should be in working conditions. If there are inadequate machines, steps should be taken to acquire new ones immediately. Steps should be taken to eradicate breeding of the Aedes mosquitoes, using fumigation in every household.

Self-help groups and social activists should spread awareness regarding the disease and the preventive measures among the public. In the areas where the dengue cases have been identified,  efforts to check the mosquito breeding should be intensified. The minister also stated that all officials from the Corporation and municipalities should conduct an inspection daily.